Two neurologists say environmental risks are a major culprit. Take action to help protect your brain today
Parkinson’s disease can affect anyone, it’s true. Your personal risk is based on a combination of your genes and environmental factors. But having certain genes that raise risk doesn’t guarantee you’ll one day have the disease. More than just a disease that simply “happens” to you, mounting evidence suggests that the progressive neurodegenerative condition is largely driven by risk factors that — with a little knowledge and planning — can be minimized.
The Parkinson’s Plan, a 2025 book by Dr. Ray Dorsey and Dr. Michael S. Okun, lays out 25 actions — some large, some small — you can take to reduce your risk for Parkinson’s disease. They focus mostly on ways to avoid or reduce exposure to chemicals that can be toxic to the brain, alongside healthy habits known to protect your brain.