Ant Killer and Parkinson's Disease

Elevated blood levels of hexachlorocyclohexane---which is a toxic ingredient used in ant killers, among other pesticides---may be a significant risk factor for Parkinson's disease, according to a July 2009 study in "Archives of Neurology." This study is the most compelling evidence to date for a link between Parkinson's disease and exposure to pesticides.



According to the researchers who conducted this study, the results could lead to the development of a blood test that will identify individuals who are susceptible to this disease.

Symptoms

• Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the motor system caused by the disappearance of brain cells that produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for muscular movement, cognitive attention, learning and the brain's pleasure axis.

  Tremor, rigidity, slow movement and unstable posture are the four main symptoms. Trembling affects the face, jaw, arms, hands and legs. When stiffness occurs, it affects the limbs and trunk.

Progression

• As the disease progresses, Parkinson's sufferers have an increasingly tough time talking, walking and performing everyday tasks. The age of onset tends to be 50. Very early on, the symptoms are negligible. The disease progresses swiftly in some, and quite gradually in others. Eventually, the symptom of tremors---which affects almost all Parkinson's patients---makes daily living a challenge.

Causes

• The cause of Parkinson's is unknown. However, according to WebMD, there is increasing evidence that Parkinson's is a genetic disease that may be triggered by environmental factors, one of which is the kind of pesticide found in ant killer.

  In the "Archives of Neurology" study that implicates the pesticide ingredient hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), researchers looked at 113 people between the ages of 50 and 89. Forty-three were healthy and 50 were Parkinson's sufferers. Twenty had Alzheimer's. Blood tests looked for traces of 15 organochlorine pesticides.

Study Results

• The study found that beta-HCH showed up in the blood of more than 75 percent of the Parkinson's samples. Only 40 percent of the healthy volunteers and 30 percent of the Alzheimer's patients had comparably elevated blood levels of beta-HCH.

Early Detection

• Dwight German, the principal investigator in this study, points out that although other studies have suggested a link between pesticides and Parkinson's, the identification of a specific pesticide eluded the scientific community until now. Because Parkinson's can cause irreversible nerve damage, it is important to get an early diagnosis. A blood test that identifies a primary risk factor for the disease could lead to swift detection and preventive intervention.