Endotoxin: is it an environmental factor in the cause of Parkinson’s disease?

Occurrence of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been reported to be associated with environmental factors, notably those associated with employment in the agricultural industry.1 Some have suggested that the agent associated with agriculture is pesticide exposure, although no specific class of pesticide has been identified.2 We suggest that besides pesticides, endotoxin (lipopolysaccaride, LPS) may also be an environmental factor. Endotoxin is a common airborne environmental and occupational contaminate in agricultural3 and other industries.4,5 Endotoxins are part of the outer …