Medical Hypotheses
Volume 53, Issue 1 , Pages 22-23, July 1999

Aluminum-containing antacids as a cause of idiopathic Parkinson's disease

UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA

Received 25 September 1997; accepted 15 October 1997.

Abstract 

The mechanism of pathogenesis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is unknown. In a study of 200 PD patients and 200 age- and sex-matched controls, Strang noted a marked and statistically significant higher incidence of ulcers (diagnosed by X-ray or surgery) in the PD patients compared to the controls (14% to 4%). These results have been discussed but never explained. Studies have shown increased concentrations of aluminum in the substantia nigra of PD patients compared to controls. Aluminum is thought to be a cellular toxin. Here I suggest that aluminum, and in particular aluminum-containing antacids may contribute to the pathogenesis of idiopathic PD.

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PII: S0306-9877(97)90701-5

doi:10.1054/mehy.1997.0701

Medical Hypotheses
Volume 53, Issue 1 , Pages 22-23, July 1999

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