Further evidence has been found to support the growing body of evidence that Parkinson’s disease is linked to environmental factors. Researchers have found that injection of the pesticides, the herbicide paraquat and fungicide maneb resulted in an immediate reduction in the motor activity of mice. Analysis of the mice brains revealed extensive damage to the nigrostriatal system. The same area of the brain affected in humans with Parkinson’s disease. The damage did not occur when either pesticide was injected on its own. However, paraquat is similar to MPTP, a chemical know to produce Parkinson’s. The researchers believe that maneb either heightens the toxicity of paraquat or enables it to cross the blood-brain barrier.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Journal of Neuroscience 2000; 20:9207-9214
