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[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and mercury--preliminary report]
1Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University.
Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology
|November 1, 1990
Summary
High mercury levels in ALS patients, especially from the Kii Peninsula, suggest a link between mercury and ALS. Low selenium content may exacerbate mercury
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Toxicology
Context:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with complex etiology.
- Environmental factors are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders.
- Hair analysis provides a retrospective measure of trace element exposure.
Purpose:
- To quantify mercury and selenium levels in the hair of ALS patients using neutron activation analysis.
- To compare these levels with those in patients with Parkinsonism and multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To explore the potential role of mercury and selenium imbalance in ALS etiology.
Summary:
- Hair mercury levels in ALS patients were higher (3.70 ppm) compared to Parkinsonism (2.43 ppm) and MS (2.10 ppm) patients.
- Selenium levels in ALS patients were variable, with some regions showing lower concentrations.
- One ALS case exhibited significantly higher mercury and lower selenium, suggesting a potential environmental link.
Impact:
- The study highlights a potential association between mercury exposure, modulated by selenium levels, and ALS.
- These findings warrant further investigation into environmental toxins as contributing factors to ALS.
- Understanding such environmental influences could inform future preventative strategies for ALS.