Long-term exposure to road traffic noise was associated with a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, possibly due to sleep disruption and systemic stress, according to a new study.
Danish researchers analysed over three million residents to determine if persistent noise in different residential areas and positions increases the risk of this neurodegenerative disorder.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, looked at over three million Danes between 2000 and 2017 who were at least 40 years old and free of Parkinson’s disease at the start of the study.
For every rise of roughly 11 decibels (dB) in noise on the most exposed side of a home, the risk of Parkinson’s disease increased by about 3%, the researchers found.
On the quiet side of the home, the one least exposed to traffic, the Parkinson’s disease risk rose by 4% for every additional 9 dB of noise.
