More Proof that Pesticides May Lead to Parkinson's

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--In the Dec. 15 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience (20:9207-14, 2000), it was reported that consuming a combination of certain pesticides may increase the risk for developing Parkinson's disease. In a six-week study, mice were administered a saline solution containing10 mg/kg of the herbicide paraquat, 30 mg/kg of the fungicide maneb or a combination of the two twice a week. As the treatment progressed, those mice that received both pesticides experienced failed motor activities that did not recover within 24 hours. However, if either pesticide was taken alone, no adverse events were noted. Eric Richfield, a co-author of the study, theorized that maneb may help paraquat cross the blood-brain barrier, where the pesticide travels from the bloodstream into nerve cells.

The researchers, led by Mona Thiruchelvam from the interdepartmental program in neuroscience at the University of Rochester, concluded that individuals consuming a combination of these pesticides could potentially develop Parkinson's. According to Reuters, this research adds to the growing evidence that living in rural environments, farming, drinking well water and occupational exposure to agricultural chemicals may be linked to Parkinson's.

For additional information about the effects of pesticides on neurology, visit www.jneurosci.org.