Impact of dietary exposure to food contaminants on the risk of Parkinson's disease

• Published in: Neurotoxicology (Park Forest South) 2008-07, Vol.29 (4), p.584-590
• Main Authors: Petersen, Maria Skaalum, Halling, Jónrit, Bech, Sára, Wermuth, Lene, Weihe, Pál, Nielsen, Flemming, Jørgensen, Poul J., Budtz-Jørgensen, Esben, Grandjean, Philippe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Cetacea; Confidence Intervals; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Diet; Diet - adverse effects; Environmental exposure; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Faroe Islands; Female; Food Contamination - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Methylmercury compounds; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Nervous system as a whole; Neurologic Examination; Neurology; Occupational Diseases - complications; Odds Ratio; Parkinson Disease - blood; Parkinson Disease - epidemiology; Parkinson Disease - etiology; Parkinson's disease; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Risk; Sex Factors; Toxicology
• ISSN: 0161-813X; 1872-9711
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2008.03.001

This study aimed to investigate the association of Parkinson's disease (PD) with dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and methylmercury (MeHg) in a community with increased exposure levels. A total of 79 clinically verified idiopathic PD cases and 154 controls matched by sex and age were examined in this case–control study in the Faroe Islands. Blood and hair samples were collected and a questionnaire recorded lifetime information on residence, dietary habits, smoking history, and occupational exposure to solvents, pesticides, and metals. Both unconditional and conditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in regard to relevant exposure variables. Increased ORs for dietary intakes of whale meat and blubber during adult life were statistically significant. The ORs for occupational exposure to solvents, pesticides and metals also suggested an increased risk for PD. Current serum concentrations of ∑PCB and related contaminants suggested slightly increased ORs, although only β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) was statistically significant. Increased intake of whale meat and blubber in adult life was significantly associated with PD, thus suggesting a positive association between previous exposure to marine food contaminants and development of PD.