The Iowa Stater
November 2000
Scientist studies link between environment and Parkinson's disease
Environmental factors, especially toxic agents related to agriculture - pesticides, herbicides, chemical solvents, even exhaust fumes - may play a significant role in the origination and development of Parkinson's disease. Anumantha Kanthasamy, a biomedical scientist in the College of Veterinary Medicine, recently received a $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the links between environmental factors and Parkinson's disease. His research focuses on toxic substances used by the agricultural community and their potential to damage specific areas of the brain and central nervous system.