It seems from the sketchy free articles available that there are connections between hormones, age at natural menopause, and pd.
There are also genes becoming identified.
Hoping for a reply and an attempt to determine if there is much research being done on this apparent connection. Here's a copy of what I sent.
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My personal history is suggestive of hormones 'shutting down" prior to motor symptoms of pd. I also have a definitive exposure [along with all milk drinkers on at least the island of Oahu in Hawaii in the late 70s and early 80s] to the pesticide heptachlor. They killed the cows upon its' ' discovery'.
I had two children in the 80s, breastfed both for almost two years [nighttime only eventually]. They were born when I was somewhat older. my ages were 33 and 35. i never had another natural menstruation after second child was born, so that became my age at natural menopause.
All occurring in a few years time directly following, my thyroid became hypothyroid, and, along with other symptoms that fit the new picture of possible pre motor symptoms [gastro intestinal, 'didn't feel right' for several years ],pd motor symptoms emerged in my late 30s, - which was in the late 80's. Do these events indicate a pathway shutdown of some type?
The research if I understand it correctly, is saying there is a connection.
here is my question:
I found these links [see below] on age at natural menopause and its' relationship to Parkinson's. Some links were not available, had to be purchased, but what I did find suggests genetic factors and one mentions growth factor as well.
These articles are primarily from research in China. Is this a vastly understudied area? Is anything planned at MJFF or are there current research studies that any of you know of that can move this research along on age at natural menopause and PD? Genetic analysis must be included, as the average person cannot afford it, and what research I read seemed to indicate genetic markers, as well as a connection.
Any information would be appreciated. I have two daughters and my 86 year old father is developing PD symptoms. Naturally, I'd like to learn about gene hormones as possible biomarkers, and this biology seems to suggest a little bit of everything occurring in sequence in a decade following pesticide exposure- late childbirth with extended breastfeeding? early menopause and hypothyroid?
Do pesticides affect the reproductive systems of people like they seem to do in animals?
links below but sketchy.
thank you ,
Paula Wittekind
http://03md.com/md/?q=node/602
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18305346?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed
http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/AAN-Hormone-Exposure-Affects-Parkinsons-Risk/ArticleNewsFeed/Article/detail/583505
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16919600?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=3&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed