Chlorpyrifos Exposure Linked to Substantially Higher Parkinson’s Risk

A UCLA Health study links long-term residential exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos with more than a 2.5-fold increase in Parkinson’s disease risk. Animal tests show chlorpyrifos damages dopamine neurons and triggers brain inflammation via autophagy disruption, suggesting autophagy restoration as a potential therapeutic angle. Despite declines in the U.S., past exposure and ongoing use elsewhere mean monitoring and further research on pesticide-related neurodegeneration are warranted.