Risk Factors for Parkinson's Disease

According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and impaired balance. Researchers have not determined the exact cause of Parkinson's disease, but studies suggest that risk factors include increasing age as well as a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Age

• As the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states, age is a clear risk factor for Parkinson's disease. On average, Parkinson's strikes people at the age of 60. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop the disease. About 5 percent to 10 percent of Parkinson's cases, however, are diagnosed before the age of 50.

Sex

• According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Parkinson's disease affects about 50 percent more men than women. Researchers cannot currently explain this difference.

Family History

• As the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains, researchers have singled out several genetic mutations that are associated with risk for Parkinson's disease. According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, scientists have determined that in rare cases Parkinson's is caused by a single gene mutation that is passed down through a family, resulting in a large number of cases of Parkinson's in multiple generations. In most cases, however, scientists believe that genetic factors interact with environmental factors to produce Parkinson's. This explains why, as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke points out, that while having a close family member with Parkinson's does increase your risk for Parkinson's, your chance of getting the disease is still only about 2 percent to 5 percent unless there is a known gene mutation in your family.

Environmental Toxins

• According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, exposure to environmental toxins is also believed to be a risk factor for Parkinson's. MPTP, for instance, a toxin that is found in some kinds of synthetic heroin, is known to cause symptoms of Parkinson's. Pesticides have also been associated with increased risk for Parkinson's disease, according to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

More Research Needed

• As the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research asserts, significantly more research is needed to undercover and clarify risk factors for Parkinson's disease. Such research could help prevent further incidence of the disease as well as help scientists develop more effective treatments for people already afflicted with Parkinson's.