AD/PD 2021 | Genetic and environmental risk factors for iPD act synergistically via the immune system
Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (iPD) varies substantially in age of onset, rate of progression, symptom severity, and extent of inflammation. Many factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of iPD, but the full extent of how much these factors contribute and the interactions between them are not fully understood. Malú Tansey, PhD, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, discusses a recent review of genetic and environmental factors in iPD and how they act synergistically through the immune system. It is thought that environmental factors such as pollutants, diet, infection, and exercise alter iPD risk through immune cell activation, and these insults accumulate over time, synergizing with an individual’s genetic risk. This interview took place during the AD/PD™ 2021 conference.
Disclosures
Ex-employee of Xencor Inc. and Co-inventor of DN-TNFs (XPro1595)
Industry Collaborations: INmune Bio, Merck, Longevity, Biogen/IONIS, Amylyx, Nanobiotix, Cerebral Therapeutics
Advisory Boards: Weston Foundation, Quebec Parkinson’s Network, Alzheimer’s Association
Grant Review Panels: NIH Study Section (CNNT), MJ Fox Foundation, Weston Family Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, Bright Focus Foundation, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
Editorial Boards: Neurobiology of Disease, Experimental Neurology, Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, NPJ Parkinson’s Disease, PLoS ONE
Funding Support: NIH, MJ Fox Foundation, Parkinson’s Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, ADDF/AFTD
