Airborne Pollutants as Triggers of Parkinson's Disease via the Olfactory System
Abstract
In this multidisciplinary project, we proposed to examine the central hypothesis that ambient air pollutants contribute to Parkinsons disease (PD) development by initiating or exacerbating a-synuclein pathology atolfactory structures via inflammation. In the epidemiologic arm, we plan to investigate 1) the effect of long-term exposure to air pollutants on olfactory impairment (OI); 2) whether early PD pathogenesis is exacerbated by ambient air pollutants; and 3) whether lifetime use of ibuprofen modifies potential adverse effects of air pollutants on OI. The project will leverage ten years of extensive data collection on environmental exposures, medical history, and biospecimen from the well-established Sister Study of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Importantly, we will objectively evaluate sense of smell of approximately 3,400 Sister Study participants, using the brief smell identification test (BSIT), efficiently administered by mail. In the first year, we have enrolled 3,018 Sister Study participants. Interim data analysis shows BSIT score distribution that is consistent with the literature, and the score clearly decreases with age. We just started DNA extraction in order to assess participants genetic susceptibility to PD. In the second year of this project, we plan to complete DNA extraction, start genotyping, and analyze data for specific aim 1.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1063023
Entities
People
- Honglei Chen
Organizations
- Michigan State University