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Pesticide Use Ups Parkinson's Risk in Men (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Men who are exposed to pesticides run a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. That is the key finding from Mayo Clinic researchers who conducted a telephone survey among 149 Parkinson's disease patients and 129 other individuals matched for age and sex who did not have the condition. Overall, men who reported exposure to pesticides used in farming or other pursuits were 2.4-times more likely to have a diagnosis of Parkinson's. The study revealed no similar risk for women, leading the investigators to speculate estrogen may somehow protect women from the toxic effects of pesticides. Parkinson's disease risk was not influenced by any other household or industrial chemicals in either gender. "This confirms what has been found in previous studies: that occupational or other exposure to herbicides, insecticides and other pesticides increases risk for Parkinson's," says study author Jim Maraganore, M.D. "What we think may be happening is that pesticide use combines with other risk factors in men's environment or genetic makeup, causing them to cross over the threshold into developing the disease." Parkinson's disease is characterized by tremors, stiff muscles and achiness, slow and limited movement, face and throat muscle weakness, and difficulty walking. The disease is diagnosed in about 50,000 Americans each year. This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/. SOURCE: Movement Disorders, published online June 14, 2006 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn