J. Fox part of Parkinson's 'cluster'

[Guest guest]

http://www.globeandmail.ca/

Thursday, March 21

J. Fox part of Parkinson's 'cluster'

By ALLISON LAWLOR

Globe and Mail Update and Canadian Press

B.C. native J. Fox is one of four people who worked on a sitcom

filmed in Vancouver in the late 1970s who were later diagnosed with

Parkinson's disease, according to a documentary to be aired on CTV next

month.

The documentary, which will air on April 7, raises questions about whether

it is coincidental that four cast and crew members of the CBC sitcom Leo &

Me were later diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Neurologists studying the disease have theories that exposure to viral

infections or environmental toxins can trigger Parkinson's several years

later. Calne, director of the Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre at

the University of British Columbia Hospital, said some studies point to a

relation between the disease and environmental factors but added that more

studies need to be done.

" For most patients environment plays a larger role [than genetics], " Dr.

Calne told globeandmail.com Thursday.

Dr. Calne said two of his patients, whom he has been seeing for several

years, worked with the Canadian-born actor.

Dr. Calne said epidemiological studies have found that there is an increased

risk of the 'clusters' of the disease among certain occupations such as

teachers, medical workers, loggers and miners.

These are people who either live and work in close proximity to one another

or are in environments where they are more exposed to viral infections, he

said.

The same studies also found less risk among people who spent more of their

time at home.

Dr. Calne said only a small number of people with Parkinson's have a family

history of the disease and the genetic forms of the disease are " extremely

rare. "

" The environment is most important for most patients, " he said.

Mr. Fox appears in the TV documentary visibly shaking and talks about the

disease's effect on his life. He said there are things he can no longer do.

Mr. Fox, who now devotes much of his time to fundraising for Parkinson's

research, also said he is confident scientists will soon achieve a

breakthrough in treating the disease.