Matt Kelley
9/28/07(Radio Iowa) - Could rural Americans, particularly Midwestern
farmers, be at greater risk for Parkinson's disease? That's one
question that'll be addressed at the annual "Parkinson's Progress"
conference today in Omaha/Council Bluffs. The event is for health
care providers, patients, families and caregivers of those who have
Parkinson's.
Dr. John Bertoni, Creighton University's chair of neurology, says
they've found an interesting trait about the illness -- rural
Midwesterners seem to be more susceptible. Bertoni says: "We
certainly see a lot of farmers with this and in the United States
and developed countries, it appears to be the people in the rural
area. Where as in China and some other developing countries, it's
more prevalent apparently in the city. However, comparing these kind
of studies is very tricky and we're not sure we can do it safely."

He says Creighton researchers are looking at common chemicals many
farmers use as a possible cause. Bertoni says: "There is nothing
that is really, definitely one-to-one. It may be that there are
people exposed to certain chemicals and some of them may be
pesticides or herbicides but the information is really mixed. When
we are looking for a link, we look there because there are some of
these chemicals that we know in experimental animals might produce a
Parkinson-like state." Bertoni says they will also have updates on
how to make things easier for those who suffer from the illness.

"People that have it tend to be slower, they are rigid or stiff,
they may have a tremor, they may have trouble walking and shuffle
and even fall too easily and some of them become demented," Bertoni
says,"this is what the caregivers, spouses, family and other people
associated with the patient have to deal with."

An Iowa State University report, published in 2004, found farmers
are up to five times more susceptible to Parkinson's disease, while
pesticide and herbicide users ranged up to three times more
susceptible.

Matt Kelley
9/28/07(Radio Iowa)