People with Parkinson's disease have significantly higher blood levels of a particular pesticide, beta-HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane), than healthy people.
Researchers found the pesticide in 76 percent of people with Parkinson's, compared with 40 percent of healthy controls and 30 percent of those with Alzheimer's. The finding might provide the basis for a beta-HCH blood test to identify individuals at risk for developing Parkinson's disease.
About 1 million people in the U.S. have Parkinson's, a number expected to rise as the population ages. The disease occurs when brain cells in particular regions die, causing tremors, cognitive problems and a host of other symptoms.