What Causes the Loss of Nerve Cells?
The actual cause of the loss of nerve cells [4] in Parkinson’s disease is not known, although several research is ongoing to find out the potential causes. At the moment, it is believed that a combination of genetic changes or mutations, and environmental factors may be the possible causes of the disease.
Genetics and Environmental Factors
A significant amount of genetic factors have been shown to increase an individual’s risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, although the exact way in which these factors make some people more susceptible to this condition than others is not clear.
This condition might be hereditary i.e., it can be passed from parent to child. It can run in families as a result of passing the faulty genes to a child from the parent. Although, it is rare for the condition to be inherited in this manner.
Some experts have linked about seven different genes to this condition. They have linked about three of these genes to early-onset of the disease I.e., it manifests at an age younger than the usual age. Some genetic mutations may also cause unique distinguishing features, different from the usual.
Some other research has been carried out and it was found that environmental factors may increase a person’s risk of developing this condition.
Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides used in farming and traffic or industrial pollution have been suggested to contribute to the possible causes of this disease.
However, the evidence that links the environmental factors to the disease is currently inconclusive.