Goldman chose to use twins because of the genetic similarities between them. He began examining a work history for each subject after that subject’s 10^th birthday. This stable study set combined with the voluminous data gathered over time provided convincing results. Goldman learned that exposure to TCE or PERC increased an individual’s risk of developing PD nearly nine fold. Goldman asserts that since this is a one-of-a-kind study, the results must be replicated to firmly establish a causal link.

The wide utility of these chemicals made them popular materials in many industries. TCE was commonly applied as an anesthetic in the 40’s and 50’s. It was long used in the decaffeination process for coffee and as a dry cleaning agent. It has served as an effective cleaning solvent employed in industrial settings. The primary applications for PERC are as a dry cleaning agent, as a degreaser for metal parts in manufacturing, and in consumer products, like paint thinners.

Use of TCE became greatly limited after 1970, though it is often identified as a pollutant in groundwater. PERC, which is still used, has become a common soil contaminant. On August 17^th of this year, Goldman was a guest on NPR’s Living on Earth to discuss his research. A transcript of that interview is available at www.loe.org.

Parkinson’s patients know all too well the frustration that comes with attempting to use a computer mouse while one’s hands and fingers are shaking. It becomes nearly impossible to accomplish even the most rudimentary computer task or to simply enjoy the pleasures of surfing the Internet. There are two developments designed to assist with these difficulties.

Steady Mouse is a free software download that was first offered in 2005. It was created by self-described computer geek Ben Gottemoller in response to the problems his father, a PD patient, was experiencing. The software has gone through two updates and is still offered for free. Steady Mouse uses computer code to reduce the effect of tremors on the cursor, allowing for easier focus on the object you want to click on. It also provides for locking in settings for multiple users. It is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and NT. Downloads are available at www.steadymouse.com.

A second approach to solving this issue was developed by IBM physicist Jim Levine. Levine has devised an adapter which is connected between the mouse and the computer.  The adapter filters the erratic input from the mouse, narrowing the stream of information to a smoother movement of the cursor on the computer screen. The adapter is dial adjusted to accommodate varying degrees of tremors. These units cost $184.00 (including shipping) from the British firm Montrose Secam. They can be purchased at www.montrosesecam.com.

At a quick glance, both of these solutions appear to be designated only for PC users.

Color-coded counties of the US indicating prevalence of PD cases. Red = highest, dark green = lowest

Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, Genesee, Livingston – Red; Erie, Orleans – Orange; Allegany – Yellow

A highly comprehensive study into the geographic and ethnic variations in incidences of Parkinson’s Disease has been completed. It was published in January 2010. Titled in part “Geographic and Ethnic Variation in Parkinson’s disease,” the study, each year, examined nearly 500,000 PD cases gleaned from the roles of US Medicare beneficiaries. Therefore, subjects were 65 years of age or older. The years encompassed were 1995 and 2000-2005.

The results of the study showed that the highest rates of PD cases were found in the Midwest and the Northeast. Somewhat surprisingly, the study showed that rates were, in general, significantly higher in urban counties than in rural ones.

As for the causes of PD, no concrete conclusions were reached, but the geographic concentrations appear to indicate that exposure to agricultural pesticides and herbicides, long suspected culprits, and industrial toxins, such as chemicals and metals, are likely triggers. Both factors would help to explain the high number of cases in Western New York.

The roles of race and gender in PD diagnoses still raise questions, but a few findings did stand out. Whites and Hispanics were found to be far more prone to the disease than Blacks or Asians. Blacks, though, did show a higher disease-related death rate than Whites.

The reasons for these differences remain to be determined, as the clustering of cases could be either cultural or geographic and the genetic equation is still being addressed. Regarding gender, males are still considered higher risks for PD than females.

All of the information for this article, including the map, was taken from “Geographic and Ethnic Variation in Parkinson’s disease: A Population-Based Study of US Medicare Beneficiaries.” The lead author is Dr. Allison Wright Willis. The study was published by Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri. It is copyrighted by S. Karger AG, Basel. The complete article can be found by going to the website listed below.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2865395