Question:

Can general anesthesia cause Parkinson’s disease in an elderly person?

Answer:

There have not been links between general anesthesia causing Parkinson’s Disease. However, it is not uncommon for general anesthesia, stress of surgery, or stress of any acute medical problem unmasking symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in early stages. It is expected that the symptoms of the disease would have presented in time if the person did not have the acute stress to the body. 

For more information:

Go to the Parkinson’s Disease health topic.