Overview
The aim of this project is to study whether people exposed to pesticides have a higher risk of developing PD. We will perform an epidemiological study determining the presence of pesticides in urine and comparing signs traditionally associated with PD in early forms.
Description
Within different risk factors, pesticide exposure increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD) through epigenetic mechanisms by modifying the expression of genes related to PD and secondary mitochondrial dysfunction.We will conduct a cross-sectional prevalence study with cases (exposed to pesticides) and controls (not exposed to pesticides), randomly selecting 130 individuals in each group. Pesticide exposure will be determined through questionnaires.We will study the prevalence of preclinical and prodromal PD based on pesticide exposure, stratified by age and gender in the exposed, and non-exposed groups. Preclinical and prodromal PD will be assessed using: biological biomarkers and prodromal PD signs. Multivariate analyses will be employed to determine the risk of presenting early PD, adjusting for different clinical covariates. The results of this study will allow us to understand the early mechanisms associated with neurodegeneration and pesticides exposure.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Farmers exposed to pesticides for cases
- No work exposure to pesticides for controls
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subjects without signed consent form
- Neurological significant conditions