Episode Details

Prior studies have established links between poor olfaction and Parkinson's disease, and impaired sense of smell is a common prodromal symptom of Parkinson's disease. The causes and mechanisms of prodromal neurodegeneration are actively being researched. However, environmental exposure to pesticides or other chemicals may trigger or modify the course of neurodegeneration, potentially leading to the development of Parkinson's disease over time. In this episode, Dr. Honglei Chen shares his research on environmental causes of neurodegenerative diseases, focusing particularly on evidence linking olfaction, environmental exposure, and Parkinson’s disease. Better understanding how environmental factors may contribute (alone or in combination with genetic factors) to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease may lead to new approaches to prevent or slow the progression of neurodegeneration. Honglei is the MSU Research Foundation Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Michigan State University.

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This podcast episode was part of a limited series created by The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2023 and 2024 for clinicians and researchers in our audience.  These episodes provide a deeper dive into exciting new scientific research in Parkinson’s disease, as well as innovative tools and valuable resources, through conversations with a variety of experts in the field. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Researchers are studying the link between sense of smell and brain health. People with and without Parkinson's can help by taking a scratch-and-sniff test. It’s free, mailed to your home and takes just 15 minutes to complete. mysmelltest.org/getstarted