A new study published August 20, 2025, in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that metabolic syndrome may be linked to a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. While the research does not prove causation, it highlights a significant association between the two conditions.
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when an individual has three or more of the following risk factors: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, high triglyceride levels, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), often referred to as “good” cholesterol.
Parkinson’s disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s, currently affects millions worldwide. Meanwhile, metabolic syndrome is estimated to impact one in four adults but is considered highly modifiable through lifestyle and medical interventions.
“This study suggests that metabolic syndrome may represent a modifiable risk factor for Parkinson’s disease,” said study author Weili Xu, PhD, of Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. “Further research is needed to determine whether managing metabolic syndrome could help prevent Parkinson’s.”
The research tracked 467,200 participants with an average age of 57 over a median period of 15 years. Of these, 38% had metabolic syndrome. During follow-up, 3,222 participants developed Parkinson’s disease. The incidence rate was 4.87 cases per 10,000 person-years among those without metabolic syndrome, compared to 5.21 per 10,000 person-years in those with the condition. After adjusting for age, smoking, physical activity, and genetic predisposition, the analysis showed that individuals with metabolic syndrome were about 40% more likely to develop Parkinson’s.
A meta-analysis of the current study combined with eight previous investigations reinforced the findings. Overall, people with metabolic syndrome faced a 29% greater risk of Parkinson’s disease. The research also revealed a heightened risk among those with both metabolic syndrome and genetic susceptibility, emphasizing the importance of metabolic health in at-risk populations.
The authors note that the study’s participants were predominantly white, which may limit the applicability of the results to other populations.
The research was funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, as well as the Swedish Dementia Foundation.
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