Workplace Solvents May Intensify Parkinson's Disease

[Guest guest]

http://www.aan.com/public/nrelease/parkinson.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Workplace Solvents May Intensify Parkinson's Disease

ST. PAUL, MN Jobs involving the use of common solvents can put people

at risk for developing symptoms of Parkinson's disease earlier in life

and more severe disease symptoms throughout its course, according to a

study in the September 12 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal

of the American Academy of Neurology.

From a study of 990 Parkinson's patients, Italian researchers found

that those exposed to hydrocarbon solvents, found in common

petroleum-based products such as paints and glues, were an average of

three years younger at first sign of disease symptoms. The severity of

disease symptoms was found to be directly related to the amount of

hydrocarbon exposure that was experienced.

Researchers identified nine occupations within the study group that

accounted for more than 91 percent of the hydrocarbon solvent

exposure. The most common occupations of those exposed were petroleum,

plastic and rubber workers. Other occupations found to have frequent

hydrocarbon exposure were painters, engine mechanics and

lithographers.

" These findings raise serious questions about specific occupational

risk, " said study author Gianni Pezzoli, MD, of the Parkinson

Institute in Milan, Italy. " This study more than merits further

investigation into job-related Parkinson's risk factors. "

The study was designed to find differences between new patients at a

Parkinson's clinic who had and had not experienced hydrocarbon

exposure in their lives. The research also found that those with

hydrocarbon exposure were mostly male and less educated than those who

were not exposed.

Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disease

caused when a small group of brain cells die that control body

movement. Symptoms generally include tremor in arms and legs, rigid

muscles, slowness of movements and impaired balance. Parkinson's

disease affects more than 500,000 Americans.

A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in

diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous

system.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 16,000

neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving

patient care through education and research.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit

its Web site at http://www.aan.com. For online neurological health and

wellness information, visit NeuroVista at

http://www.aan.com/neurovista.

© 2000 American Academy of Neurology