Chemical exposures and Parkinson's disease: A population-based case-control study

Roberta Frigerio, Kevin R. Sanft, Brandon R. Grossardt, Brett J. Peterson, Alexis Elbaz, James H. Bower, J. Eric Ahlskog, Mariza de Andrade, Demetrius M. Maraganore, Walter A. Rocca

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

The putative association between pesticide exposures and Parkinson's disease (PD) remains controversial. We identified all subjects who developed PD in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 1976 through 1995, and matched them by age (± 1 year) and sex to general population controls. We assessed exposures to chemical products by means of telephone interview with cases, controls, or their proxies (149 cases; 129 controls). Exposure to pesticides related or unrelated to farming was associated with PD in men (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-5.4; P = 0.04). The association remained significant after adjustment for education or smoking. Analyses for the other six categories of industrial and household chemicals were all nonsignificant. This population-based study suggests a link between pesticides use and PD that is restricted to men. Pesticides may interact with other genetic or nongenetic factors that are different in men and women.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1688-1692
Number of pages5
JournalMovement Disorders
Volume21
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006

Keywords

  • Case-control study
  • Chemical exposures
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Pesticides
  • Sex differences

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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