Neurotoxicity of pesticides-A link to neurodegeneration

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which mainly targets motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. The physiological changes occur due to dopamine depletion in basal ganglia region of the brain. PD aetiology is not yet elucidated clearly but genetic and environmental factors play a prominent role in disease occurrence. Despite of various environmental factors, pesticides exposure has been convicted as major candidate in PD pathogenesis. Among various pesticides 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tet-rahydropyridine (MPTP) has been widely investigated in PD following with paraquat (PQ), maneb (MB), or-ganochlorines (OC) and rotenone. Effect of these pesticides has been suggested to be involved in oxidative stress, alterations in dopamine transporters, mitochondrial dysfunction, alpha-synuclein (alpha Syn) fibrillation, and neuro-inflammation in PD. The present review discusses the influence of pesticides in neurodegeneration and its related epidemiological studies conducted in PD. Furthermore, we have deliberated the common pesticides involved in PD and its associated genetic alterations and the probable mechanism of them behind PD pathogenesis. Hence, we conclude that pesticides play a prominent role in PD pathogenesis and advance research is needed to investigate the alterations in genetic and mechanistic aspects of PD.

Automated summary

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms and dopamine depletion. Pesticide exposure, including 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tet-rahydropyridine (MPTP) and others, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PD through oxidative stress, dopamine transporter alterations, mitochondrial dysfunction, alpha-synuclein fibrillation, and neuroinflammation. This review discusses the influence of pesticides on neurodegeneration in PD and summarizes related epidemiological studies, as well as the genetic alterations and potential mechanisms involved in PD pathogenesis. Further research is needed to explore the genetic and mechanistic aspects of PD.