Researchers at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting presented new findings suggesting that exposure to airborne manganese may significantly increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease. The study, conducted by Jordan A. Killion, PhD, MPH, and colleagues from the Barrow Neurological Institute, analyzed census tract-level estimates for 11 different airborne metals to assess their relation to PD risk.
The study utilized Medicare data and geocoded ZIP codes for participants 2 years prior to diagnosis and selection in 2009, including over 51,000 incident cases and more than 13 million controls with complete metals data. The researchers found that manganese posed the highest risk of PD, with a 4.9% greater risk per 0.1 micrograms per cubic meter of exposure.
In addition to manganese, there were also possible associations between PD and beryllium, nickel, and selenium. The study showed that ZIP codes with the highest manganese concentrations were located in the South and Midwestern regions of the U.S., indicating a higher relative risk of the disease in these areas.
Overall, the findings suggest that environmental exposure to airborne metals, particularly manganese, may play a significant role in the development of Parkinson’s disease. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms behind this association and to explore potential interventions to reduce exposure to these harmful metals.
