There are no blood tests or other screening tests that can detect Parkinson's disease. Nonetheless, medical experts have demonstrated that it is caused by a combination of factors.

 

Parkinson's disease is most likely caused by a combination of genetics and environmental or other unknown factors like:

 

• GENETICS:

Approximately 10 to 20% of Parkinson disease cases are linked to a genetic cause, according to scientists. There are two types:

1. Autosomal dominant, which means that one copy of a mutated gene from one parent, and

2. Autosomal recessive, which means you get a copy of a mutated gene from each of your parents.

Individuals who have a Parkinson parent or sibling have roughly twice the risk of developing the disease. Scientists claim that over the last 10 or 15 years, there's been an enormous amount of new information about genetics and new genes identified that have opened up a greater understanding of the disease.

 

• ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

However, the vast majority of Parkinson disease cases are classified as unknown (“idiopathic” in medical terms). Scientists believe it's a combination of environmental exposure — to toxins or pesticides — and genetic makeup.

According to medical experts, environmental factors may contribute to the onset of Parkinson disease. Farming chemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides, working with heavy metals, detergents, and solvents have all been implicated and studied in search of a clearer link. However, it is unlikely that the majority of people who develop Parkinson disease are exposed to environmental hazards.

 

• AGE:

Age is the most important risk factor for Parkinson disease as we are getting older. The average onset age is 60 years old. However, around 10% of patients are diagnosed before reaching this age (which is called Young Onset Parkinson Disease in medical terms).

 

• GENDER:

Science has proven that men are 1.5 times more likely than women to develop Parkinson disease. A possible reason is that oestrogen hormone protects women’s brains from neurological damage.

 

• HEAD INJURIES:

Repeated blows to the head (Like the case of the famous boxer Muhammad Ali) increase one's risk of developing Parkinson, but scientists are not 100% sure this directly causes the disease, as they can’t ascertain that there is a type, severity, or frequency of head trauma that increases its risk.