The exact cause of Parkinson’s disease is often unknown. For many patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, developing the condition may seem random, according to the National Institute on Aging.
A genetic component is one possible cause, and researchers have identified some distinct genes and genetic mutations linked with Parkinson’s disease, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reported. However, according to Mayo Clinic, even the known genetic mutations linked to Parkinson’s disease are uncommon outside of the rare phenomenon in which several members of one family have the condition.
Another factor that can play a part in causing Parkinson’s disease is environmental triggers and exposures, including herbicides and pesticides, Mayo Clinic reported. Research suggests that paraquat is one of those environmental exposures associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Paraquat in the body produces oxidative stress, a reaction that can lead to the death of neuronal cells, according to the Journal of Neurochemistry. This oxidative stress is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology reported. This oxidative stress can lead to the degeneration of the neurons that produce dopamine in the brain, which “is responsible for the characteristic motor symptoms” of Parkinson’s disease, according to the Journal of Parkinson's Disease.
The combination of paraquat exposure with certain genetics can increase your Parkinson’s risk even more. Researchers reported in 2012 that individuals who both worked with paraquat and were found to have a defective GSTT1 gene had 11 times the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to the general population, according to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.