Parkinson's: Researchers discover possible cause in the intestine. Nerve cells are progressively destroyed through the accumulation and clumping of certain proteins.
Neurons that produce dopamine are particularly affected. Genetic changes are considered to be a trigger for the disease. However, in 90 percent of cases, the typical symptoms occur without a genetic origin. Scientists are also conducting research into environmental factors (e.g. agricultural pesticides and industrial chemicals) that are suspected to be possible triggers for Parkinson's disease.