Heavy metal concentrations in blood cells in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) concentrations in blood cells were measured by neutron activation analysis. Blood was obtained from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), patients with other neurological diseases and control subjects. Dried blood cells were activated by neutron irradiation. Mn was determined after chemical separation and Se was determined nondestructively. Mn concentrations in blood cells from ALS patients were significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than those from the other groups. The Mn concentrations were also significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in late than in earlier stages of ALS. Se concentrations in blood cells from ALS patients were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than those from the other two groups. A generalized abnormal distribution of these metals may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Bromine, zinc, rubidium, and iron concentrations of erythrocytes were the same in all groups.