Hi:

AS a native of the mid-West (U.S.) I grew up very familiar with term goiter and the fact that I lived in the Goiter Belt. It referred to the prevalence of Goiters in the population and the fact that this could be treated by periodic intake of iodine tablets. The ground water as well as surface sediments was depleted in iodine, in this case attributed to the continental glaciation recently visited upon this region. I use the term "recent" in a geological sense; the last glaciation ended some 10,000 years ago. Nevertheless, it imported a geochemical (as well as a geomorphological) imprint on the land that is still seen today. Similar comments may be made for Fluoride and there is a region in North America known as the Fluoride Belt. Too much as well as too little can be harmful.

This led me to wonder if there is a Parkinson's Belt. Is there a region (let's say, in North America) where Parkinson's is highly concentrated and, if so, is there something unique about surface sediments, recent Geologic history, Hydrology etc. I realize that there will be some smearing of the data because of the tendency of people to move about but something interesting may fall out.

All the best,


Lloyd