Which statement best describes the role of age in Parkinson's disease risk?

Which statement best describes the role of age in Parkinson's disease risk?

• A. Age over 40 is a modifiable risk factor
• B. Age over 40 is an unmodifiable risk factor
• C. Age over 40 prevents Parkinson's disease
• D. Age over 40 cures symptoms

Answer: (B)

Age is a non-modifiable risk factor for Parkinson's disease. As people age, the likelihood of developing PD increases due to aging-related changes in the brain, so having age over 40 is associated with higher risk. But you cannot change your age, so this factor cannot be modified. It doesn’t guarantee the disease, and it doesn’t cure or prevent it on its own. The key idea is that some factors raise risk and can’t be altered, whereas modifiable factors could potentially be changed to influence risk.

Age is a non-modifiable risk factor for Parkinson's disease. As people age, the likelihood of developing PD increases due to aging-related changes in the brain, so having age over 40 is associated with higher risk. But you cannot change your age, so this factor cannot be modified. It doesn’t guarantee the disease, and it doesn’t cure or prevent it on its own. The key idea is that some factors raise risk and can’t be altered, whereas modifiable factors could potentially be changed to influence risk.