Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Exposure to Environmental Toxins: An Australian Case-Control Study

Morahan, Julia M.; Pamphlett, Roger

doi:10.1159/000095552

Cited by 78 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 50 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our findings confirm results of previous research suggesting a potential relationship between exposure to metals [11,12,13,14,15,16,17] and pesticides [23,35,38,39] and risk of ALS. Although not causally related, lead has been the most consistent environmental risk factor over time [11,13,16,17].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study

Malek

Barchowsky²,

Bowser

et al. 2013

Neurodegener Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background/Aims: Environmental and occupational exposures are implicated as risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the etiology of which is largely unknown, although no causal relationships have been established. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the associations of personal risk factors and self-reported environmental and occupational exposures with risk of ALS. Methods: The cases involved ALS patients (n = 66) identified from major neurological centers in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pa., USA, from 2008 to 2010. The age-, race- and sex-matched controls included outpatient hospital and population-based controls (n = 66). A detailed questionnaire obtaining data on occupation, vocational and avocational exposure as well as personal lifestyle factors was administered. Results: Occupational exposure to metals (odds ratio, OR = 3.65; 95% CI: 1.15, 11.60) and pesticides (OR = 6.50; 95% CI: 1.78, 23.77) was related to increased risk of ALS after controlling for smoking and education. No associations were found for occupational exposure to organic or aromatic solvents. Conclusion: Workers exposed to metals and pesticides may be at greater risk of ALS. Future research should involve more accurate exposure assessment through the use of job exposure matrices, confirmation of occupation and biomarkers.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study

Malek

Barchowsky²,

Bowser

et al. 2013

Neurodegener Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Emerging evidence links sporadic ALS to agricultural chemicals (66), PON genotype (67), and perhaps genotype/pesticide interactions (68), compatible with a link between OPs and excess ALS in GWV. Parkinson's disease, a related neurodegenerative condition, has also been linked to pesticides (69,70) and PON genotype (26,71), suggesting that monitoring for excess age-adjusted Parkinson's in GWV may be prudent.…”

Section: Enzymes That Help Detoxify Acheis Differ In Ill Veterans Vsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and Gulf War illnesses

Golomb

2008

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

200

161

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Increasing evidence suggests excess illness in Persian Gulf War veterans (GWV) can be explained in part by exposure of GWV to organophosphate and carbamate acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEis), including pyridostigmine bromide (PB), pesticides, and nerve agents. Evidence germane to the relation of AChEis to illness in GWV was assessed. Many epidemiological studies reported a link between AChEi exposure and chronic symptoms in GWV. The link is buttressed by a dose–response relation of PB pill number to chronic symptoms in GWV and by a relation between avidity of AChEi clearance and illness, based on genotypes, concentrations, and activity levels of enzymes that detoxify AChEis. Triangulating evidence derives from studies linking occupational exposure to AChEis to chronic health symptoms that mirror those of ill GWV. Illness is again linked to lower activity of AChEi detoxifying enzymes and genotypes conferring less-avid AChEi detoxification. AChEi exposure satisfies Hill's presumptive criteria for causality, suggesting this exposure may be causally linked to excess health problems in GWV.

show abstract

“…There was an increased risk of ALS among employees of the Dow Chemical Company who were exposed to the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid versus other Dow employees (Burns et al, 2001). Similar studies have found positive associations for populations exposed to pesticides (McGuire et al, 1997;Qureshi et al, 2006), and the relationship was found to be dependent on dose (Morahan & Pamphlett, 2006). Overall, the relationship tends to be stronger for males than females (McGuire et al, 1997;Morahan & Pamphlett, 2006).…”

Section: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als)mentioning

confidence: 66%

“…Similar studies have found positive associations for populations exposed to pesticides (McGuire et al, 1997;Qureshi et al, 2006), and the relationship was found to be dependent on dose (Morahan & Pamphlett, 2006). Overall, the relationship tends to be stronger for males than females (McGuire et al, 1997;Morahan & Pamphlett, 2006). In one study using participants in the American Cancer www.intechopen.com Society's Cancer Prevention Study II, no association between pesticide exposure and ALS was detected (Weisskopf et al, 2009).…”

Section: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als)mentioning

confidence: 70%