THE PARKINSON’S PANDEMIC AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO ABOUT IT

Parkinson’s disease is the world’s fastest growing neurological condition. This rapid growth is explained only in part by the ageing of our population, and cannot be attributed to better diagnostic skills or an improvement in ancillary testing methods. Genetics offer only limited explanation for the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease worldwide. In my presentation, Prof Bloem discusses how the presence of environmental factors play an important role in causing Parkinson’s disease. This includes toxic chemicals such as pesticides or trichloroethylene, other factors such as repeated head trauma, but also protective factors such as exercise or a healthy diet. A better insight into the factors that contribute to the rise of Parkinson’s, and also into factors that might help to prevent this pandemic from taking shape, offers the basis for creating a menu of interventions and strategies that can help to turn the tide so that we can ultimately work towards prevention of Parkinson’s disease.