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Is Parkinson's disease acquired? Evidence from a geographic comparison with multiple sclerosis

Neuroepidemiology Research Program (Dr. Kurtzke) and Neurology Service (Drs. Lux and Kurtzke), Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the Departments of Neurology (Drs. Lux and Kurtzke) and of Community and Family Medicine (Dr. Kurtzke), Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.

In the coterminous United States, MS mortality rates demonstrate a north-south gradient, which is confirmed by more sophisticated—and more expensive—prevalence studies. Mortality rates from idiopathic Parkinson's disease show a similar north-south gradient, and they correlate significantly with the MS mortality and prevalence data. This demonstration that Parkinson's disease may be place-related provides support for the hypothesis that Parkinson's disease, like MS, is an acquired, environmental illness.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Lux, Neurology Service (127), VA Medical Center, 50 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20422.

Received January 13, 1986. Accepted for publication in final form July 2, 1986.