Toxin in The Brain

Introduction

Pesticides’ link to Parkinson’s disease has been reconfirmed. Benomyl, a fungicide banned in the US 10 years ago, has been found to block a vital enzyme that prevents a naturally occurring toxin, known as DOPAL, from accumulating in the brain. This damages the neurons in the brain, increasing Parkinson’s risk.

Those who lived or worked within 500 metres of farms where benomyl had once been used have been found to have a 200 per cent higher chance of getting the disease. The study can help understand the mechanisms of Parkinson’s onset better.

Source

Down To Earth, January 2013