The Parkinson’s Plan, a new book from neurologists and researchers Ray Dorsey and Michael Okun

When her grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014, Jessie Van Amburg assumed it was just bad luck—an unfortunate twist of genetics or aging. But in The Parkinson’s Plan, neurologists Ray Dorsey, MD, and Michael Okun, MD, challenge that notion. They argue that Parkinson’s isn’t inevitable for most people, and in fact, it’s largely driven by things in our environment—like pollution and industrial chemicals—rather than our genes . They call for sweeping changes: a $3 billion federal investment to fight the environmental triggers, boost research, expand access to care, and develop new treatments. Their ultimate goal? To make Parkinson’s obsolete . ⸻ What Surprised the Doctors—and Perhaps You Too? • It’s not just genetics. While some rare cases of Parkinson’s are genetic, about 85% of people with the disease don’t carry any identifiable genetic risk. The real culprit? Toxins in the environment . • Chemicals can dramatically raise risk. Studies find that exposure to certain pesticides (like paraquat), solvents (like trichloroethylene from dry cleaning), and even air pollution can increase Parkinson’s risk by as much as 500%. In lab animals, these substances trigger tremors and other Parkinson’s-like symptoms . ⸻ A Simple Checklist for Lowering Your Risk Dorsey and Okun created the “Parkinson’s 25,” a set of everyday actions—like using air and water filters, washing produce, managing home pesticide use, and following a Mediterranean-style diet—that can help reduce exposure to neurotoxic substances . ⸻ Bigger Change Is Needed—Not Just Individual Action While we can all take steps at home, the authors say broader rules are essential: • Ban dangerous chemicals. Substances like paraquat and trichloroethylene should be eliminated—just like DDT was in years past . • Provide public transparency. People should know if they live or work near places spraying harmful chemicals—like farms or golf courses—or around contaminated water or soil . ⸻ Promising Advances in Treatment The book also highlights exciting breakthroughs: • Gene therapy and editing, advancing toward safer, more customized treatments. • Nanomedicine, which can deliver drugs past the brain’s protective barrier more effectively. • AI-powered electrical brain stimulation, which can adjust treatments like tremor control and sleep in real time  . ⸻ The Big takeaway? Parkinson’s may well be preventable. Dorsey reminds us that diseases like HIV were once threats, too—but we’re on track to make them relics of the past. He believes we can do the same with Parkinson’s—if we act now