EP 22 - Article Of The Week: Dual-Risk axis: GBA1 mutations and occupational pesticide exposure in Parkinson's Disease

February 26, 2026

 🎙️ We’re back with the twenty second episode of Parkinson Weekly, hosted by Prof. Bas Bloem.In this episode, Bas explores the role of gene–environment interactions in Parkinson’s disease, examining why some individuals develop Parkinson’s following environmental exposure while others do not.Discussing a recent study published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, he reviews new evidence linking GBA1 genetic mutations with occupational pesticide exposure, highlighting how genetic susceptibility may influence vulnerability to environmental risk factors.Bas explains the biological mechanisms behind this interaction, including impaired cellular waste clearance and mitochondrial dysfunction, and reflects on the broader implications for research, prevention strategies, and regulatory policy. The key message: Parkinson’s risk may be shaped not by genes or environment alone, but by the interaction between the two.An important episode that advances our understanding of Parkinson’s disease risk and underscores the need to consider genetic vulnerability in environmental health and future research.👉 You can read the full article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41549707/Have a question you’d like Bas to answer in a future episode? Email us at parkinsonweekly@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.