Can Parkinon's Be Linked To Manganese Toxicity?

Introduction

Parkinson's disease is a kind of sickness that can make it hard for people to move around the way they want to. It happens when the brain doesn't have enough of a particular juice called dopamine. Doctors aren't sure why some people get Parkinson's, but think it might be because of the family genes or things in the environment, like certain toxins such as PCBs. Being around too much of a metal called manganese can also be a problem, especially for people with specific genes. This metal is usually good for us in tiny amounts because it helps the body in many ways, like keeping bones strong and helping wounds heal. But, too much manganese can be harmful, particularly for people at risk of Parkinsonism or Parkinson's disease. If someone is worried they might have cases of Parkinsonism or have been around too much manganese, they can check by doing a particular test that looks at minerals in their hair. This way, they can learn more about what's happening in their body and stop the sickness from worsening. Additionally, researchers at Johns Hopkins have found a potential link between environmental toxins, such as manganese and PCBs, and the development of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease. This discovery, as explained by Dr. Ted Dawson, director of the Institute for Cell Engineering at Johns Hopkins, highlights the importance of understanding the role of toxins in developing neurological diseases.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a condition that gradually gets worse and mainly affects how people move. It happens when some brain cells, called neurons, don't make enough dopamine, a chemical that helps control movements and keep the body balanced. Even though experts aren't exactly sure what causes Parkinson's disease, they think it might be a mix of someone's genes and things in the environment around them, specifically the impairment and death of nerve cells, or neurons, in the substantia nigra, a part of the brain responsible for producing dopamine. One potential factor being investigated is the presence of Lewy bodies, unusual clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein, in the brain cells of individuals with Parkinson's disease. Ongoing research is being conducted to identify potential causes of this condition, with current belief being a combination of genetic changes and environmental factors.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease shows up with different signs that can be split into two main groups: motor symptoms, which are about movement, and non-motor symptoms, which are other kinds of problems. Usually, these symptoms don't show up all at once; they start slowly and worsen as time passes.

Parkinson's disease has two types of symptoms, related to movement (motor symptoms) and others that are not (non-motor symptoms).

Motor Symptoms:

• Tremor: You might notice shaking, often in a hand or fingers, even when resting.
• Bradykinesia: Moving slowly and having trouble starting a movement, especially for precise actions.
• Muscle Rigidity: Muscles may feel very stiff, which can be painful.
• Postural Instability: Balance might be off, making falls more likely.
• Gait and Movement Problems: Walking can become a shuffle with tiny steps, and it can take a lot of work to turn or change directions. Arm movements can also lessen.

Non-Motor Symptoms:

• Cognitive Issues: Problems with thinking clearly or remembering things.
• Emotional Changes: Feelings of sadness, worry, or tiredness without reason.
• Physical Changes: Issues like constipation and changes in blood pressure when standing can happen.
• Sleep Issues: Trouble sleeping well, acting out dreams, or feeling sleepy during the day.
• Sensory Changes: Losing the sense of smell, feeling pain or weird sensations in the body, and changes in how you speak or swallow, like soft or unclear speech and drooling.
• Mood Disorders: You might feel unusually sad or anxious and notice changes in how you think or act day-to-day.

Other signs of Parkinson's disease include not being able to show many facial expressions, writing very small, and feeling very tired all the time. These symptoms usually worsen over time, making everyday things more challenging, including causing sleep problems. While some of these symptoms may also occur with normal aging, it is essential to talk with your doctor if they worsen or begin to interfere with daily living. Additionally, people with late-onset Parkinson's disease may also experience an onset of symptoms before the age of 50, known as early-onset Parkinson's disease. This form of the disease may also be referred to as juvenile-onset if symptoms begin before age 20. In some cases, Parkinson's disease can also lead to the development of dementia and a decline in intellectual functions, including judgment and memory. Parkinson's disease is different for everyone. Some people might initially have minor signs that are easily confusing with other problems. Early on, these might be so slight that you hardly notice them. But as time goes on, the signs of Parkinson's disease become more apparent and can make everyday activities harder to do.

Genetic and Environmental Factors Contributing to Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists aren't exactly sure what causes Parkinson's disease, but they think it's a mix of two main things: genes you inherit from your family and things you come into contact with in the environment.

Genetic Factors:

• Gene Changes: Sometimes, changes in specific genes can lead to Parkinson's disease. These gene changes are not typical and usually happen in families that have many members with Parkinson's. A few specific genes, like LRRK2 and SNCA, are linked to the disease.
• Family History: If you have family members, like parents or siblings, with Parkinson's disease, you have a higher chance of getting it, too. This shows that passing these genes in families can sometimes cause Parkinson's.

Environmental Factors:

• Being Around Toxins: Being near certain chemicals or toxins for a long time can raise your risk of Parkinson's. For example, chemicals used to kill weeds and pests or those found in some workplaces can be risky.
• Heavy Metals: Coming into contact with heavy metals such as manganese and lead might also make it more likely for someone to develop Parkinson's disease.

The Pivotal Research: A Case of Manganese Toxicity

Keep in mind that researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found something interesting. They wrote a paper about how Parkinson's disease might happen. They think some genes, like instructions in our bodies, might get messed up due to genetic changes or mutations if they are around too much manganese, a type of metal in the environment. This could be one way Parkinson's disease starts, mainly if there are two copies of the gene involved in the PARK2, PARK7, or PINK1 gene, following an autosomal dominant pattern. Additionally, there is a strong link between PD and exposure to pesticides and herbicides, making it crucial for further research to be conducted on the role of pesticides in the development of Parkinson's disease.

Manganese: Essential Nutrient and Potential Risk Factor

The Vital Role of Manganese

Manganese is a tiny but mighty mineral that our bodies need to stay healthy, but only a little goes a long way. Here's why manganese is super essential:

Helping Enzymes Work:

• Manganese helps different enzymes in our body. Enzymes are tiny machines inside us that keep us running smoothly by breaking down our food and keeping our cells healthy. For example, manganese helps some enzymes protect our cells and make energy.

Keeping Bones Strong:

• It helps build strong bones by working on the cartilage and collagen, parts of our bones that help them stay tough and not break easily.

Healing Wounds:

• Manganese also helps our bodies make collagen, a super important protein for fixing cuts and scrapes fast.

Fighting Against Cell Damage:

• It's part of a particular enzyme that acts like a superhero, protecting our cells from getting damaged by harmful substances called free radicals.

Helping Our Metabolism:

• Manganese is involved in how our body uses carbohydrates and proteins, turning them into energy so we can play, study, and do everything else we want.

Brain and Nerves:

• This mineral helps make neurotransmitters, the body's chemical messengers and keeps our brain and nerve systems running smoothly.

For Reproductive Health:

• Manganese is also essential for ensuring the body's reproductive system works well, helping produce hormones that play a role in love and reproduction.

So, even though we don't need a lot of manganese, it's essential for keeping many parts of our body healthy and working right.

The Danger of Excess Manganese

Just like eating too many candies can give you a tummy ache, having too much manganese in your body isn't good for you either.

In the research paper, the scientists were like detectives. They discovered that two essential genes, named alpha-synuclein and PARK9, can work together when there's too much manganese around. They found that the PARK9 gene can act as a shield, protecting our body's cells from getting sick from too many manganese clumps. This is important because too much manganese can be a problem that makes someone more likely to get a disease similar to Parkinson's disease.

People might get too much manganese in their bodies if they work at jobs where manganese is in the air, like welding (joining metals together using heat) or mining (digging up essential minerals from the ground). Sometimes, even things like gasoline can have manganese in them. Also, some people's bodies could be better at handling extra manganese. This might happen if they have weak adrenal glands, which are small glands on top of your kidneys and help control how your body responds to stress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Parkinson's disease is a complex condition with far-reaching implications that go beyond its hallmark motor symptoms. With the causal interplay of genetic vulnerabilities and environmental factors becoming increasingly evident, understanding and debating these emerging ideas is crucial. The University of Pennsylvania's research offers a novel perspective on how genetic predispositions may interact with environmental toxins like manganese to potentiate disease development. While motor symptoms like tremors, bradykinesia, and muscle rigidity dominate the clinical picture, the non-motor manifestations, including mood disorders and cognitive decline, can be equally debilitating. There is still much to learn about Parkinson's. Still, each piece of the puzzle that researchers like those at the University of Pennsylvania contribute brings us closer to unraveling the mysteries of this disease and, hopefully, to effective interventions that can halt its progression or prevent it altogether.

If you're having a tough time with signs of Parkinson's disease, if it's something other people in your family have, or if you've been around too much manganese, it's a good idea to check your body's minerals to understand what's happening. This way, you can stop things from getting worse!

Get an HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) with us today, and we'll help you!