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Related Experiment Videos

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a high selenium environment.

A W Kilness, F H Hichberg

    JAMA
    |June 27, 1977
    PubMed
    Summary

    Four cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were identified in a small South Dakota county. This cluster occurred in an area known for selenium poisoning in livestock, suggesting a potential environmental link to the disease.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Environmental Health
    • Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
    • Geographic clusters of ALS cases can indicate environmental or genetic factors.
    • West-central South Dakota has a known issue with endemic selenium toxication in livestock.

    Observation:

    • Four unrelated male farmer-ranchers diagnosed with ALS over a decade in a sparsely populated South Dakota county (population 4,000).
    • All patients were between 57 and 66 years old and resided within a 15-km radius.
    • The region is known for endemic selenium toxicosis in local farm animals.

    Findings:

    • A geographic cluster of ALS cases was identified in west-central South Dakota.
    • The cluster's occurrence in an area with endemic selenium toxicosis suggests a potential association.
    • Further investigation is warranted to explore the link between selenium exposure and ALS.

    Implications:

    • This finding highlights the need to investigate environmental toxins, such as selenium, as potential risk factors for ALS.
    • Understanding geographic clusters can aid in identifying environmental triggers for neurodegenerative diseases.
    • Public health initiatives may need to consider environmental monitoring in regions with endemic toxicities.

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