MedicalResearch.com eInterview with Dr. Emanuele Cereda
Nutrition and Dietetics Service, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo
Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Cereda: A large analysis of more than 100 studies shows that exposure to pesticides, or bug and weed killers, and solvents is likely associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Cereda: In first instance I can say no as in every day clinical practice we frequently see patients reporting such exposure. Accordingly, it appears quite obvious to look at these exposures as risk factors. Unfortunately, from an epidemiologic point of view this is not enough! That's why we did this study. Amazing rather than surprising was the fact that commonly the sources of funding in the studies we retrieved and included in meta-analysis were health or health-related institutions, private foundations (mainly Parkinosn’s disease foundations), or government or para-government companies. No study acknowledged the involvement of any chemicals manufacturer!
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