A new French study has found that genetic factors and exposure to pesticides like DDT can lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease in men. Researchers have claimed in the study published in the Archives of Neurology journal that men who are exposed to pesticides like DDT apart from inheriting genes for Parkinson’s disease were at a three and a half times higher risk of developing Parkinson’s, as compared to the normal version of the gene.

Researchers studied 207 patients with Parkinson's disease, apart from 482 healthy men who did not suffer from the disease. They wanted to find the link between DDT and chemical exposure and Parkinson’s. It was found that most of the patients who were suffering from Parkinson’s were farmers and had been exposed to DDT, while farming.

It was found that when people with these gene variations were exposed to toxic chemicals like DDT, their bodies failed to flush them out. The gene, which was responsible for this is known as ABCB1. This gene is responsible for helping the brain flush out harmful chemicals from the body.

In patients suffering from Parkinson’s two variations of this gene were found. In men carrying this gene and exposed to DDT, the incidence of the disease was almost 3.5 times higher as compared to normal men.

The United Nations had banned a dozen pesticides including DDT in the year 2001 after it was found that these lead to suppression of the immune system.