Global Symposium: Our Environment and Parkinson’s (2025)

In this talk, Dr. Carlie Tanner, a leading expert in Parkinson’s epidemiology and Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, explored the rising global prevalence of Parkinson’s disease and its links to environmental and genetic risk factors.

She discussed how exposure to pesticides, solvents like trichloroethylene, air pollution, and persistent pollutants, such as DDT metabolites, increased Parkinson’s risk through mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress. Genetic susceptibilities were shown to amplify environmental risks, with certain individuals experiencing significantly elevated vulnerability, particularly to toxins like paraquat.

Dr. Tanner highlighted early discoveries such as the MPTP incident, which established a causal link between toxins and Parkinsonian symptoms, and the identification of the alpha-synuclein gene mutation.

She emphasised protective strategies including physical activity, a healthy diet, caffeine intake, and safe pesticide-handling practices. The webinar also covered prodromal symptoms like anosmia and depression, along with promising biomarker research aimed at early detection. Dr. Tanner concluded with an optimistic outlook on the development of disease-modifying and symptomatic treatments.

**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**