Parkinson’s disease: Exposure to this material may increase your risk suggests study

July 23, 2019    By ADAM CHAPMAN

Parkinson's disease: Exposure to manganese metal may increase risk, says study (Image: Getty Images )

Parkinson’s disease is a life-changing diagnosis. There is currently no cure for the condition and the symptoms will get progressively worse over time, making it difficult to carry out even basic tasks. Early detection is essential to slowing down symptoms and maintaining quality of life. A recent study finds exposure to a certain material may increase the risk.

A new study from Iowa State University biomedical researchers illuminates the biological processes by which exposure to some metals can contribute to the onset of Parkinson's-like symptoms.

The study, published in the journal Science Signaling, focuses on the metal manganese, which has a range of industrial uses as an alloy.

Anumantha Kanthasamy, a Clarence Hartley Covault Distinguished Professor in veterinary medicine and the Eugene and Linda Lloyd Endowed Chair of Neurotoxicology, said the research details how manganese exposure can lead to misfolded proteins in the brain, which cause a neurological disease. Kanthasamy said the findings could lead to earlier detection of the disease and better outcomes for patients.

According to Kanthasamy, small amounts of manganese are necessary for the proper functioning of the human body, but too much exposure has been linked with neurological symptoms much like those experienced by patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Links between manganese and neurological disorders have been noted since the 1950s, Kanthasamy said, because of the tendency of manganese to accumulate in brain tissues.

Parkinson's disease: Welders are at a greater risk of exposure to the metal (Image: Getty Images )

As the disease advances, it's harder to slow it down with treatments

Anumantha Kanthasamy

The study found welders exposed to manganese had increased misfolded alpha-synuclein serum content, meaning the welders are at a higher risk for developing Parkinson's symptoms, Kanthasamy said.

The research could contribute to a new assay, or medical test, to detect the presence of misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins.

This could lead to earlier detection of Parkinson's disease and a way to gauge the effectiveness of drugs designed to slow the disease.

"As the disease advances, it's harder to slow it down with treatments," Kanthasamy said. "Earlier detection, perhaps by testing for misfolded alpha-synuclein, can lead to better outcomes for patients. Such a test might also indicate whether someone is at risk before the onset of the disease."

Kanthasamy cautioned the research is still at an experimental stage, meaning it could be years before such an assay could be available.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1156795/parkinsons-disease-symptoms-nhs-news-signs-risks-manganese