Identifier

etd-04112014-071640

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders affect millions of Americans every year. Incidence increases as the human population ages. Parkinson’s Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder in the dopaminergic system of the basal ganglia, causes deterioration of movement as the disease progresses. Researchers have attempted to figure out what causes PD and are currently examining it as an environmental disease. This study examined PD as an environmental disease using a multifactorial approach. Methods included 1) utilization of hospital and mortality records in order to investigate a relationship between occupation and PD 2) using ArcGIS 10.2 technology to examine the spatial components of PD 3) conducting Chi-Square tests and other statistical tests in order to determine the validity of the approach. The findings of this study identified that no factor singlehandedly was responsible for increased PD hospitalization or mortality. Furthermore, this study concludes that many factors in combination may contribute to increased PD hospitalization and/or mortality.

Date

2014

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Diaz, James

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.3230

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