Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
07:00
Eye-Tracking Control to Assess Cognitive Functions in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: October 13, 2016
7.9K
Climatic factors associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a spatial analysis from Taiwan
Geospatial Health
|November 22, 2013
Summary
This study found that lower sunlight exposure and higher rainfall are associated with increased amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) incidence in Taiwan. These climatic factors may play a role in ALS development.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Epidemiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with poorly understood etiology.
- Limited research exists on the global spatial associations between ALS incidence and environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between climatic factors and ALS incidence in Taiwan.
- To identify potential spatial clustering of ALS incidence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 12-year dataset (1997-2008) of 1,434 ALS patients from Taiwan's national health insurance database.
- Employed spatial regression analysis to assess correlations between annual climatic factors (sunlight, temperature, rainfall, etc.) and ALS incidence.
- Controlled for spatial autocorrelation in the analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between ALS incidence and both sunlight exposure and rainfall.
- Increased sunlight exposure showed a negative correlation with ALS incidence.
- Increased rainfall showed a positive correlation with ALS incidence.
Conclusions:
- Climatic factors, specifically sunlight deprivation and rainfall, appear to be associated with ALS incidence in Taiwan.
- While ALS is multifactorial, these environmental factors warrant further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
29
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
29
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
42
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and...
42
01:24Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
34
Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...
34
01:24Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
28
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Patients may notice hand tremors at rest, stiffness during movement, or a shuffling gait. In addition to motor features, non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, constipation, and cognitive impairment, all of...
28