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Causes and risk factors of Parkinson’s disease

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The cause continues to be unknown, but there have been advances in the knowledge of possible molecular mechanisms and risk factors, and in environmental protection. In general, it is believed that different combinations of them could trigger the neurodegenerative process.

It is mostly a sporadic disease, although since the late 1990s, specific genetic mutations (monogenic) have been identified that are associated with clinical presentations more or less similar to classical Parkinson’s disease. These genetic forms account for 2% of sporadic cases and approximately 7% of familial ones. Most sporadic cases are believed to result from combinations of genetic factors that individually do not carry significant risk (polygenic).

Nowadays, it is thought that the combination of these genetic factors with environmental factors could be the cause of the majority of cases.

What is the cause of Parkinson's disease?

¿Cuál es la causa de la enfermedad ...

Ambiental factors

Among the environmental risk factors described in the scientific literature are pesticides, rural living (“drinking well water”), exposure to heavy metals, or head trauma. On the other hand, protective factors or those associated with lower risk include tobacco use, coffee, and to a lesser extent, tea.

Other possible protective factors more recently described are vagotomy and appendectomy (based on the hypothesis that they might hinder the peripheral origin of the disease), or the use of inhaled medications for bronchial asthma (salbutamol). These factors have triggered research into potential therapies.

Read more Signs and symptoms
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Substantiated information by:

Almudena Sánchez Gómez
Ana Cámara Lorenzo
Maria José Martí
Yaroslau Compta Hirnyj

Published: 8 July 2019
Updated: 30 July 2025

The donations that can be done through this webpage are exclusively for the benefit of Hospital Clínic of Barcelona through Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica and not for BBVA Foundation, entity that collaborates with the project of PortalClínic.

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