[Etiology of Parkinson disease. An epidemiologic perspective with possible implications for prevention].

This review summarizes recent epidemiological research about the etiology of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Descriptive and analytical epidemiologic studies, supported by basic neurosciences research, suggest a role for neurotoxins in the pathogenesis of PD, but also for mediating environment influences, which include occupational exposures, urban or rural living and nutritional factors. Such epidemiologic evidence can provide a basis for the potential development of preventive measures for this disease.