Is Parkinson's disease acquired? Evidence from a geographic comparison with multiple sclerosis

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Abstract
In the coterminous United States, MS mortality rates demonstrate a north-south gradient, which is confirmed by more sophisticated- and more expensive-prevalence studies. Mortality rates from idiopathic Parkinson''s disease show a similar north-south gradient, and they correlate significantly with the MS mortality and prevalence data. This demonstration that Parkinson''s disease may be place-related provides support for the hypothesis that Parkinson''s disease, like MS, is an acquired, environmental illness.