Pesticides in blood linked to Parkinson's

[Guest guest]

Pesticides in blood linked to Parkinson's

 

Published: July 14, 2009 at 1:55 AM

 

DALLAS, July 14 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have linked Parkinson's

disease to significantly higher blood levels of a particular

pesticide.

 

The study, published in Archives of Neurology, found higher levels of

the pesticide beta-HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) in 76 percent of people

with Parkinson's, compared with 40 percent of healthy controls and 30

percent of those with Alzheimer's.

 

The study involved 113 participants -- ages 50-89 -- whose blood was

tested for 15 pesticides known as organochlorines. Fifty had

Parkinson's, 43 were healthy and 20 had Alzheimer's.

 

" Much higher levels of the beta-HCH were in the air, water and food

chain when the Parkinson's patients were in their 20s and 30s, " senior

author Dr. Dwight German of the University of Texas Southwestern

Medical Center in Dallas said in a statement. " Also, the half-life of

the pesticide is seven to eight years, so it stays in the body for a

long time. "

 

The study findings might provide the basis for a beta-HCH blood test

to identify people at risk for developing Parkinson's disease, German

said.

 

" Some people with Parkinson's might have the disease because of

exposure to environmental pesticides, but there are also genes known

to play a role in the condition, " German said.

 

 

 

 

" Hobbes: Do you think there's a God? Calvin: Well, SOMEBODY'S out to get me. "