Answer: No, Parkinson’s disease usually is not hereditary although there are a few families reportedly having a hereditary form of the disease.
Question: How common is Parkinson’s disease?
Answer: An estimated 15 000 people in Sweden have Parkinson’s disease, which is about 1-2 people in 1 000 of the population. This level increases to 1% among people over the age of 65. Reliable data are hard to get, and there is always a small group with mild symptoms that is not yet diagnosed.
Question: What are the causes of Parkinson’s disease?
Answer: The causes of Parkinson’s disease are as yet unknown. Some poisons, for example mould toxins and synthetic drugs can give Parkinson’s. Additionally there are some genes that can trigger Parkinson’s if they become damaged. Boxing can give Parkinson’s symptoms (e.g. Mohammed Ali) although this is most likely due to more extensive brain damage resulting from repeated blows to the head.
