Parkinson's Disease: Causes and Groups at Risk
Brain Disorders Top List of Major Causes of Disability Worldwide
By Brenda Patoine in BrainWork, Vol 11:3, 2001
Gives a cross-cultural perspective to brain disorders and questions whether higher rates of disability in developed countries is due to lifestyle differences or lack of accurate reporting in developing countries.
Hormones and Dementia: Fact or Fiction
By Bruce McEwen in Lecture Notes
This is a transcript of a lecture Dr. Bruce McEwen gave on Oct 15, 2003 on the subject of hormones and dementia and how it relates to Parkinson's disease. He described the basic mechanisms by which natural and synthetic estrogen produce their effects on memory and other brain functions. He also discussed developing a treatment that mimics natural production of estrogen followed by progesterone; the effect of body fat on estrogen levels; and the function of androgen in female brains.
In Parkinson's Disease, Risk Factors Vary by Sex
By Sandra Ackerman in BrainWork, Vol 13:3, 2003
Suggests environmental risk factors are better predictors of Parkinson's diagnosis in males, while genetic factors account for more of the risk in females
Neurotoxins: What Are the Real Risks?
By Sandra Ackerman in BrainWork, Vol 11:5, 2001
Introduces the concept that many household and agricultural chemicals can be neurotoxins. Discusses the hypothesis there is an interaction between genes and the environment with Parkinson's Disease, and ends by postulating that an inflammatory response may be responsible rather than direct actions of toxins on the brain cells.