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Considering age to be the primary risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease and the observation that the Dutch population is rapidly aging, the parkinson prevalence is expected to increase over the coming years, as there is still no cure available for the disease. This has been confirmed by epidemiological data, which show a steady increase of the disease prevalence in the Netherlands for the period 2010-2021. Genetic risk factors only partially explain the disease pathogenesis. Environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides and trichloroethylene are associated with a higher risk for developing Parkinson's disease. Lifestyle factors such as exercise, caffeine intake and the Mediterranean diet are associated with a lower risk for developing the disease and possibly delay the disease progression. Policy makers and healthcare providers should employ stricter regulations for pesticide use and should stimulate a healthy lifestyle to slow down the increasing prevalence.

On the occasion of its centenary, the Health Council of the Netherlands issued an advisory report on future possibilities for influencing the human brain. The Council foresees that, in the future, it will probably become possible to prevent or extensively delay diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease. The burden of many mental disorders will be markedly relieved by early detection and treatment. Developments are to be expected in the fields of function enhancement, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and electrostimulation. The promising developments aimed at the prevention of brain disorders have important ethical and societal implications which require uninterrupted attention.