Parkinson's
disease occurs due to a loss of brain cells that produce a chemical messenger
called dopamine. The symptoms of the disease include loss of balance, slower
movement and tremors and stiffness in the face and limbs. There is currently no
cure for the disorder.
The
observation that cigarette smokers have a reduced risk for Parkinson's disease
has long been known, and has raised the idea that nicotine may reduce the risk
for the illness.
Tobacco
belongs to a plant family called Solanaceae
and some plants in this family, such as peppers and tomatoes, are edible
sources of nicotine.
In
general, vegetable consumption had no effect on Parkinson's risk. The more
vegetables from the Solanaceae plant
family that people ate, however, the lower their risk of Parkinson's disease.
This
association was strongest for peppers, according to a study published online in
the journal Annals of Neurology. This study included nearly 500 people who were
newly diagnosed with Parkinson's and another 650 unrelated people who did not
have the neurological disorder, which is typically marked by tremors and other
movement problems.
The
apparent protection offered by Solanaceae vegetables occurred mainly in people
with little or no prior use of tobacco, which contains much more nicotine than
the foods included in the study.
More
research into the role of nicotine in Parkinson's disease is already underway;
a nicotine skin patch is currently being tested in patients with early
Parkinson's disease.
###
The above
story is based on the May 09, 2013 news release by Wiley.
The
research has been published in the Annals of Neurology, a journal of the
American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society :
Searles
Nielsen S, Franklin GM, Longstreth Jr WT, Swanson PD, Checkoway H. Nicotine
from Edible Solanaceae and Risk of Parkinson Disease. Ann Neurol, May 9, 2013
DOI: 10.1002/ana.23884
###
The
U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about Parkinson's disease.
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