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DDT & Parkinson's Disease

Dopamine is a chemical in the body and brain that does many things, including allowing you to control movements. Parkinson's disease (PD) is actually a group of motor system problems caused when the brain cells stop making enough dopamine.

  1. Symptoms

    • Shaking and trembling arms, hands, legs and face are early symptoms of PD. As the disease progresses balance and movement are affected and arms and legs may become stiff. Eventually the person may have trouble swallowing or talking.

    Diagnosis

    • Blood and laboratory tests cannot be used to diagnose PD but they can eliminate other disorders as the cause of symptoms. PD is diagnosed with medical history and neurological symptoms.

    Causes

    • Mayo Clinic states the causes of PD are not known but genetic mutations and exposure to toxins may be involved.

    Risk Factors

    • According to Mayo Clinic, age, heredity (family members with PD), being male and known contact with pesticides and chemicals increase your risk of developing PD.

    DDT

    • A study by Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory's Rollins School of Public Health researchers was presented at the American Chemical Society indicating a relationship between DDE (from the pesticide DDT) and dieldrin (another insecticide) and PD. The chemicals were found in the brains of deceased PD patients. However, further studies with mice showed limited effect and that dieldrin was more toxic than DDE to dopamine.

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