Detection of subclinical ascorbate deficiency in early Parkinson's disease.

From mid-October 1989 to mid-July 1990 all newly admitted residents to Bury Local Authority Residential Homes were comprehensively medically screened. In a series of 100 residents eight had early Parkinson's disease (six of them hitherto undiagnosed). Seven showed evidence of Vitamin C deficiency. Of the seven showing evidence of deficiency, four suffered from early Parkinson's disease. Of the 93 without evidence of Vitamin C deficiency only four had Parkinson's disease. This indicates a significantly higher prevalence of Parkinson's disease in the group with Vitamin C deficiency (P less than 0.001 using Fisher's exact).