The Relationship Between Parkinson's Disease and Ethnicity

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the lack of dopamine in the midbrain as the dopaminergic neurons die. Some genetic causes are gene mutations that increase the risk of developing PD, and environmental causes include substance abuse, heavy metals, and more. While there are genetic and environmental instances, there’s so much that’s unknown. Ongoing studies and trials continue to make history; however, most of these studies focus on Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) participants, leaving little known about the different causes, varying symptoms, and biological anomalies that may present themselves in other ethnic groups. Few studies examined numerous ethnicities, including Black, Asian, and Hispanic populations. They show high prevalences of PD in China and India, and Black patients typically have higher mortality rates with PD than White patients. While there isn’t a set cause for this, many factors contribute, such as these populations' environment, socioeconomic status, and age range. Unfortunately, the lack of diverse studies leads to contrasting results, making it challenging to completely understand ethnicity’s role in PD. This literature review summarizes ethnicity's role in PD, how it affects these populations, and why it’s often overlooked.