Toxic pesticides used on fruits and vegetables can trigger Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers at the Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital in Germany. The team conducted experiments on mice and found that the insecticide rotenone not only caused Parkinson’s disease but also exacerbated its symptoms. The study, published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, confirmed that external factors can trigger Parkinson’s disease. Previous research has also shown a link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease, with a higher incidence of the disease among people who had frequent contact with pesticides in agricultural settings.
Parkinson’s disease affects 400,000 people in Germany alone, with symptoms including stiff muscles, a frozen facial expression, and trembling hands. The disease is caused by the death of nerve cells in the midbrain. The researchers studied the reactions of mice to the insecticide rotenone and found that certain nerve cells in the gut released the protein alpha-synuclein, which then destroyed important nerve cells in the brain. Francisco Pan-Montojo of the Dresden Institute of Anatomy said that if this finding is confirmed in Parkinson’s patients, it could lead to new approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
The study highlights the potential dangers of using pesticides on fruits and vegetables. Consumers should be aware of the risks and consider buying organic produce whenever possible. The findings also underscore the need for more research into the causes of Parkinson’s disease and the development of new treatments. With an aging population, the incidence of Parkinson’s disease is likely to increase, making it all the more important to find effective ways to prevent and treat this debilitating condition.
