- Common allergies could be directly linked to the chances of
developing Parkinson's Disease, scientists have discovered.
Research revealed that sufferers from allergies such as hayfever,
that trigger runny noses and streaming eyes, are three times more
likely to develop the brain condition.

The discovery could shed new light on Parkinson's as it suggests
inflammation may play a key role in the disease.

However the researchers stressed there is little allergy sufferers
can do to alter their risk of developing it.

They should continue with their normal medicines to try to prevent
their allergic symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis is the medical term for an inflammation of the
nasal passages which is caused by the immune system over-reacting to
substances in the air.

One of the most common forms is hayfever which is triggered by
pollen and the reaction can also be caused by dust and animal hair,
leaving sufferers with permanent cold-like symptoms.

About a third of Britons will develop an allergy at some point in
their lives and around 12 million get hayfever.

The latest study, published in the journal Neurology, set out to
discover if inflammation that is to blame for allergies is also
linked to Parkinson's Disease.

Previous research had revealed that taking anti-inflammatory drugs
appeared to cut the risk of developing Parkinson's, which affects
around one in 500 people and leaves patients unable to control their
movements.

Scientists from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota studied 196 people who
developed Parkinson's and, over a 20-year period, compared them with
the same number who did not.

They found that patients who had allergic rhinitis were 2.9 times
more likely to develop Parkinson's than those without the reaction.

Lead researcher Dr James Bower said: 'The association with Parkin-
son's Disease is increased to almost three times that of someone who
does not have allergic rhinitis.

'That's actually a pretty high elevation.'

The study did not examine in detail what kind of allergy each person
had nor when symptoms began.

The team also stressed that it did not prove the allergies were
causing Parkinson's - just that there is a link between the two
diseases and it may come down to inflammation.

'People with allergic rhinitis mount an immune response with their
allergies so they may be more likely to mount an immune response in
the brain as well, which would produce inflammation,' suggested

Dr Bower. 'The inflammation produced may release certain chemicals
in the brain and inadvertently kill brain cells as we see in
Parkinson's.

'This discovery is exciting because in future we may be able to
develop medications to block the inflammation.'

He warned, however, there is little allergy sufferers can do now to
reduce their potential risk of developing the brain disease.

'I wouldn't worry if you have allergies,' he said.

'Treat the allergy symptoms you have to alleviate them at the time.'

But he added: 'At this point we have no good evidence that this
treatment will protect you from possibly developing Parkinson's
disease later.'


8th August 2006(Daily Mail)