A recent study conducted by UCLA Health found a connection between long-term pesticide exposure and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in individuals with specific genetic variants. The research, published in NPJ Parkinson’s Disease, focused on nearly 800 Central Valley residents in California who had been exposed to pesticides used on cotton crops for at least a decade before developing the disease. By analyzing their genetic makeup for rare variants in genes related to lysosomal function, the researchers discovered an enrichment of these variants in patients with high pesticide exposure and more severe Parkinson’s disease. These findings suggest that the combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors like pesticide exposure may contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
The study’s corresponding author, Dr. Brent Fogel, explained that disruptions in lysosomal activity due to the identified genetic variants may result in the accumulation of toxic compounds in cells, leading to the development of Parkinson’s disease when combined with long-term pesticide exposure. This highlights the importance of understanding gene-environment interactions in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. Previous research has shown that alterations in autophagy, a process involved in clearing damaged proteins and organelles, can lead to the buildup of alpha synuclein proteins in the brain, which are associated with Parkinson’s disease pathology.
Dr. Kimberly Paul, the co-lead author of the study, emphasized the growing burden of Parkinson’s disease on the global population, pointing out that the rate of new cases is surpassing expectations based on aging alone. The study’s findings suggest that there may be other genetic variants influencing susceptibility to Parkinson’s disease among individuals with pesticide exposure, potentially involving different biological pathways affected by various types of pesticides. By identifying these genetic factors, researchers hope to better understand why certain individuals are more vulnerable to developing Parkinson’s disease and explore potential interventions targeting these pathways.
The research builds on decades of work by UCLA Health investigators Drs. Jeff Bronstein and Beate Ritz, who have been studying the link between pesticide exposure and Parkinson’s disease risk in the Central Valley. Fogel noted that while genetic predisposition may play a role in disease development, the impact of environmental influences, such as pesticide exposure, cannot be overlooked. By gaining insights into how these factors interact, researchers aim to improve risk assessment and develop targeted interventions for individuals at higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
The study’s findings support the idea that minor genetic changes in lysosomal-related genes may contribute to susceptibility to Parkinson’s disease under specific environmental stressors, such as pesticide exposure. By identifying these genetic variants and understanding their role in the disease process, researchers hope to pave the way for personalized approaches to managing Parkinson’s disease risk. Fogel highlighted the need for further research to explore additional genetic and environmental factors that may influence disease susceptibility, emphasizing the importance of developing tools to identify individuals at risk and intervene early to prevent or mitigate the impact of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
