Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, which development is believed to be related to a combination of multiple environmental and genetic factors. As air pollution is a potentially modifiable environmental factor affecting the entire populations, its reduction is exceedingly important for public health.
In the current study, we aim to estimate the contribution of environmental factors to the onset of PD. To achieve this objective we will perform a cohort study, followed by a nested case-control analysis. Specifically, in a population-based study, we will analyze the PD patients residing in the Negev and treated by Soroka Medical Center during 2001-2020.
Exposure to environmental factors will be assigned based on the subjects' residence addresses and will focus at (1) ambient air pollution; (2) meteorological conditions; (3) proximity to greenspaces and (4) agriculture-related activity.