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Working as a mechanic, painter and construction worker associated with 2-fold increased risk of Amyotrphic Lateral Sclerosis.

12/23/2020

A new report appearing in Muscle and Nerve by Angeline Andrew and other members of Elijah Stommel's team at Dartmouth indicates that exposure to the heavy metal neurotoxicant lead and working as a mechanic, painter or construction worker (jobs with increased risk for exposure to industrial chemicals) are associated with greater risk for ALS. Head injury and electrical burns were also associated with an increased risk for ALS.

Although this study, which was funded by the Centers for Disease control (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) did not look at duration or intensity of exposure in relationship to age at onset of symptoms, it nevertheless adds to the growing body of literature implicating prior exposure to neurotoxic chemicals such a lead and industrial solvents found in paints in the risk for developing ALS.

Link to original article in Muscle and Nerve

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Air pollution increases risk for neuroanatomical changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.

12/7/2020

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A new prospective cohort study by Diana Younan and colleagues published in the journal Neurology has found that older women without dementia who are exposed later in life to air pollution consisting of microscopic particles of chemicals, smoke, dust and other pollutants < 2.5 μm in diameter have an increased risk for neuroanatomical changes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study used MRI data combined with supervised machine learning to measure brain atrophy in areas vulnerable to AD. The observed increased risk could not be explained by geographic region; race; ethnicity; highest education level obtained; smoking or alcohol use; physical activity; BMI scores; diabetes; use of hormone replacement therapy nor by an MRI-measure of cerebrovascular damage.

These data add to the growing body of literature implicating exposure to neurotoxicants in the neuropathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

Link to original article

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis like Syndrome Following Subcutaneous Administration of Manganese

12/2/2020

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A new cast report out of Sweden by Roos and colleagues 2020 suggests that subcutaneous exposure to manganese may be associated with a rapidly progressing form of ALS. This case report is about a 56 year old man who developed ALS in close chronological relationship to his exposure to manganese that was administered as a traditional Kenyan medical practice call Ogosaraka via cuts in the skin of his back near his spinal cord. Within four months the man began to develop neurological symptoms which included symmetrical muscle weakness in his legs, arms, and neck. Neurophysiological testing revealed fibrillation potentials indicative of denervation. The patient died from respiratory failure 10 months post exposure. Although the results of neuroimaging studies showing manganese accumulation n brain nor of post-mortem neuropathological studies confirming the involvement of upper motor neurons in this case were not provided by the authors, this rapidly progressing case of unusual manganese neurotoxicity nevertheless raises concerns about potential risks for interactions between traditional medicine and the onset and progression of latent ALS in vulnerable individuals.

Link to original article in PubMed

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Dr. Marcia Ratner shares and reviews the news.

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Last updated: January 2, 2023..

Working as a mechanic, painter and construction worker associated with 2-fold increased risk of Amyotrphic Lateral Sclerosis.

Air pollution increases risk for neuroanatomical changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis like Syndrome Following Subcutaneous Administration of Manganese

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