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Potential connection between mercury exposure and Parkinson's disease
​Torrey, E. F., & Simmons, W. (2023, September 16). Mercury and parkinson’s disease: Promising leads, but research is needed. Parkinson’s Disease. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/pd/2023/4709322/

An article, authored by E. Fuller Torrey and Wendy Simmons and published in September 2023, explores the potential connection between mercury exposure and Parkinson's disease. The authors summarize their findings as follows:
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1. Background: The article begins by acknowledging the prevailing belief that environmental toxicants play a significant role in the development of Parkinson's disease. The authors note that heavy metals, known to be toxicants, have been studied in this context. They specifically focus on recent studies regarding mercury and its possible role in the etiology of Parkinson's disease.
2. Mercury Exposure Sources: The article highlights that contemporary exposure to mercury primarily occurs through two sources: dental amalgam tooth restorations and the consumption of fish contaminated with mercury. The authors note that mercury can enter the brain during prenatal development and throughout a person's life. Moreover, they emphasize that mercury can persist in the brain for extended periods and lead to permanent neuropsychological deficits.
3. Clinical and Pathological Similarities: The article discusses how mercury toxicity can result in clinical symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease, such as tremors. Additionally, it can induce neurochemical and neuropathological changes similar to those observed in Parkinson's disease. These changes include the loss of dopamine neurons, degeneration of tubulin and axons, dysfunction of mitochondria, and the aggregation of alpha-synuclein.
4. Limited Research on Mercury and Parkinson's: The authors point out that while some studies have assessed mercury levels in individuals with Parkinson's disease, there is a relative scarcity of research in this area. Nevertheless, most of the existing studies have reported a statistically significant association between mercury exposure and Parkinson's disease.
5. Promising Leads: The article suggests that published studies provide promising leads regarding the relationship between mercury exposure and Parkinson's disease. However, the authors emphasize the need for further research in this field.
6. Lack of Funding: The authors express concern that a search of research studies funded by organizations like the US National Institutes of Health, Parkinson’s Foundation, and the Michael J Fox Foundation did not yield any studies focused on mercury in the context of Parkinson's disease. They advocate for the support and funding of such studies.

 
In summary, the article highlights the potential link between mercury exposure and Parkinson's disease, pointing to clinical and pathological similarities and a dearth of research on this topic. The authors argue for increased research efforts to better understand the relationship between mercury exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH

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