Recent antipsychotics use associated with elevated risk of Parkinson's disease

A study examined the relationship between antipsychotic use and Parkinson's disease occurrence in a sample of 65,275 patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease and 652,364 matched controls. Results showed that patients with Parkinson's disease had increased odds of antipsychotic exposure. Longer duration of antipsychotic use and greater affinity for D2 receptors were associated with higher disease risk. A similar relationship was observed with metoclopramide, which also inhibits D2 receptors. The association between antipsychotics and Parkinson's disease was found even when first exposure occurred 10 years before diagnosis. According to the results, antipsychotics may explain up to 2.4% of all Parkinson's disease cases. Given the increasing use of these medications, further research and increased awareness of their potential risks are needed.