25 May 2017 --- A new study has shown that serum alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene may contribute to increased risk and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). According to the authors, the study's findings support the notion that carotenes play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of PD. Serum levels of antioxidants such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, retinol, alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin were measured and compared between 104 patients with idiopathic PD (Early PD: Hoehn and Yahr stage I and II, N = 47; and Advanced PD: Hoehn and Yahr stage III and IV, N = 57) and 52 healthy controls matched for age and gender.
