Effects of Environmental Factors and Diversity in Parkinson's Disease

In the Fall 2025 Neur 300 seminar, various speakers shared their work with passionate presentations.  One presentation that really stood out to me was by Dr. Mary Makarious. Her research with the Global Parkinson’s Genetic Program (GP2) and the goal to diversify research in Parkinson’s disease an uncommon thought captivated my attention.  Why is it not questioned how little diversity there could be in research? Many ethics groups or cultural backgrounds effect health, thus there should always be research on various groups but there is not.    

Dr.Makarious also brought up the point that not all databases can be shared, and each country has its own research laws.  This can also lead to less diversity in the science community or bring barriers to integrating.  Dr.Markarious also mentioned there are environmental factors such as pesticides used in a golf course that are linked to an increase in PD. Environmental factors in different regions of the world can also lead to genetic mutations/changes such as adaptions to the area.   

Reflecting on Dr.Makarious points of environmental contributions to PD, I came across an article published by Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine “Scientists discover a possible environmental trigger for Parkinson’s disease. (2025, July 17)” Scientists identified a possible viral trigger for PD: Human Pegivirus (HPgV). With the help of the method ViroFind, the virus was found in spinal fluid and brain tissue in those who presented with PD. While it was not found in those who did not have PD. This may raise questions about how infections, and chemical exposures might contribute to onset or progression of PD.  

Northwestern’s study is relevant to Dr.Markarious’ talk as it also highlighted gene-environment interactions. For example, the researchers observed that individuals with specific Parkinson’s linked genetic mutations, like LRRK2, responded differently to the presence of HPgV. This suggests that a virus alone might not be enough to cause the disease but, rather, a person’s genetic background, immune system, and perhaps even ancestry or environmental exposures might all interact in complex ways. 

This raises a deeper question: what other environmental or infectious triggers are being overlooked by the lack of diversity in research of PD?  If most research is composed of European descending groups, we may be missing key components for other groups and possible treatments. Dr.Makarious’ talk was very eye-opening to me and my fellow peers, where the scientific community struggles and solutions are needed to find treatments to PD on a global scale.   

 

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. (2025, July 17). Scientists discover a possible environmental trigger for Parkinson’s disease. https://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2025/07/17/scientists-discover-a-possible-environmental-trigger-for-parkinsons-disease/