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What Causes Parkinson's Disease?

From About.com

Updated: September 18, 2009

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Question: What Causes Parkinson's Disease?
Answer: It is not known why some people get Parkinson's disease. It may be that a number of malfunctions are occuring. Scientists have speculated on the following causes:

  • Environmental factors-Toxins such as herbicides and pesticides.
  • Trauma

  • Genetics. In rare cases a few families do show an inherited predisposition; the gene being transmitted via an autosomal dominant trait. 15-25% of people with Parkinson's disease have a relative with the disease.
  • Some scientists suggest cell death concepts are causal. These include;

  • Oxidative Stress-Free radicals are believed to cause damage to tissues by oxidation.

  • Excitotoxicity: i.e. that glucomate may be implicated in cell death.

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria within the cells that produce energy no longer function properly.
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