aetiology
Last reviewed 11/2021
The movement disorder seen in Parkinson's disease is due to degeneration of the dopaminergic neurones in the substantia nigra pars compacta in the midbrain. Degenerating neurones contain inclusion bodies called Lewy bodies.
The aetiology of Parkinson's disease is unknown. Most researchers postulate that multiple factors may be responsible with genetic and environmental factors most likely to play a central role (1).
Current research areas include:
- environmental neurotoxins
- genetic risk factors
- causes of inherited Parkinson's disease
Reference:
genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease