Disease-Toxicant Interactions in Parkinson’s Disease Neuropathology

Abstract

Human disease commonly manifests as a result of complex genetic and environmental interactions. In the case of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), understanding how environmental exposures collude with genetic polymorphisms in the central nervous system to cause dysfunction is critical in order to develop better treatment strategies, therapies, and a more cohesive paradigm for future research. The intersection of genetics and the environment in disease etiology is particularly relevant in the context of their shared pathophysiological mechanisms. This review offers an integrated view of disease-toxicant interactions in PD. Particular attention is dedicated to how mutations in the genes SNCA, parkin, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and DJ-1, as well as dysfunction of the ubiquitin proteasome system, may contribute to PD and how exposure to heavy metals, pesticides and illicit drugs may further the consequences of these mutations to exacerbate PD and PD-like disorders. Although the toxic effects induced by exposure to these environmental factors may not be the primary causes of PD, their mechanisms of action are critical for our current understanding of the neuropathologies driving PD. Elucidating how environment and genetics collude to cause pathogenesis of PD will facilitate the development of more effective treatments for the disease. Additionally, we discuss the neuroprotection exerted by estrogen and other compounds that may prevent PD and provide an overview of current treatment strategies and therapies.

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Publication Date

9-9-2016

Publication Title

Neurochemical Research

Department

Neuroscience

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11064-016-2052-4

Keywords

Disease-toxicant interaction, Gene-environment interaction, Parkinson's disease, Neurodegeneration, Heavy metals, Illicit drugs, Pesticides, Estrogen

Language

English

Format

text

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS