Thrill seekers at less risk of Parkinson's disease

Feb 20 2006

According to a new study by British researchers, risk takers stand less chance of getting Parkinson's disease, live longer, and have more friends.

The team of researchers at the Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies in London interviewed 212 people, of whom half had Parkinson's disease and they say they were able to identify a risk-averse "Parkinsonian Personality".

The researchers found that smokers and drinkers seemed to be protected from the disease.

They say sensation seekers appear to have a number of qualities that are firmly linked with healthier living such as having more friends and being more optimistic and suggest these habits denote a risk-taking personality.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disorder which affects movement and becomes more common in older age.

It remains unclear what causes the disease but it is often associated with a shortage of the brain chemical dopamine which controls connections between nerve cells.

Earlier studies have also suggested a link between smoking and caffeine intake and lower rates of Parkinson's and it is suspected the dopamine system is protected by nicotine and caffeine.

Lead researcher Professor Andrew Lees of the University of London, who led the research, says non-smokers appear to have double the risk of Parkinson's disease but the reasons for that are unclear.

The study found patients with Parkinson's disease had smoked less, drank less alcohol and caffeine and were also found to be low on thrill-seeking and taking risks and higher on anxiety and depression than the comparison group.

The authors suggest their may be a link between low sensation-seeking behaviour and what might be termed a "Parkinsonian personality".

Earlier studies have suggested Parkinson's disease patients tend to reject hedonistic behaviour, to be scrupulous, socially withdrawn and disinclined to take risks.

Professor Lees does agree that behaviour may be affected by something amiss in the dopamine system long before symptoms of the disease materialise.

Extra dopamine as well as other arousing hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol make us feel more daring,sexier and more likely to take a risk.

Many experts are skeptical of the results and say the assumption that the personality traits outlined in the study cause the condition is flawed and should be treated with caution.

Others have found the results interesting but call for more investigation.

The study appeared in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.