The aging process is associated with an accumulation of oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).1 2Mutations and deletions of mtDNA accumulate with aging in various tissues including germ lines.3 4 The resulting mitochondrial defects, if transmitted to offspring through the maternal line, could potentially play a part in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative illnesses including Parkinson's disease.5 In addition, advanced maternal age at the time of conception results in increased risk of genetic birth defects. This is in part due to chromosomal mutations and malfunctions within the ova which are in turn due to the increased age of the ovary and the ova. We examined the age of mothers at birth of patients with Parkinson's disease and controls to evaluate whether maternal age may be a risk factor in the development of Parkinson's disease.

Subjects were recruited from the Movement Disorders Clinic at the University of Virginia. We interviewed 629 consecutive patients with Parkinson's disease and 376 consecutive spousal controls regarding their mother's age at the time of the subject's birth (maternal age). The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease was based on internationally accepted criteria. At least two of the following three criteria had to be present: rest tremor, …