ipants had lost 20.9% body weight. Figure 1 shows that, after weight loss, the relationship between BMI loss (adjusted for age) and the increase in total plasma organochlorine concentration explained more than 50% of the variance observed (adjusted for age R 2 Ο 0.51; P Ο½ 0.01). At steady-state weight, there was no relationship between BMI and the initial total plasma organochlorine concentration. At steady-state weight, age was the most important predictor of the total organochlorine concentration (greater concentration for older persons) and could predict by itself 45% of the variance observed (adjusted for BMI R 2 Ο 0.45; P Ο½ 0.01).
The striking and important result with regard to Uc and colleagues' work 1 is the significant relationship observed between weight loss and the total organochlorine concentration. There is a growing body of information linking pesticide exposures with PD. 6 -13 Although the association between exposure to moderate levels of pesticide and the development of PD is still debated, our observations and that of Uc and colleagues 1 suggest the importance of examining more closely the impact of weight loss when parkinsonian signs progress. It may well be that, for these patients, weight loss contributes to worsening of parkinsonism.