Publication:

Parkinson's disease and appendix: a hidden kinship

Parkinson’s disease is now recognized as the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. More than 8.5 million people worldwide are estimated to have Parkinson’s, and its frequency is rising swiftly because of global population aging. The disease is primarily marked by abnormal protein clumps, called Lewy bodies, found in the brain. Numerous studies have connected Parkinson’s disease to the gut, suggesting that gastrointestinal issues like appendicitis could increase the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s later in life. A review of several studies on the link between Parkinson’s disease and gastrointestinal disorders shows that Parkinson’s often follows such disorders, though genetics, the environment, and an individual’s immune system also contribute. Some studies, however, report that early appendectomy may lower the risk of Parkinson’s or delay its onset in people with a family history of the disease. This review examines the evidence on the relationship between the appendix and Parkinson’s disease, presenting data on how the appendix may influence the development of PD. We conclude that while the appendix is not the only factor in Parkinson’s disease, it may play an important role in its development.