title: Neurodegenerative diseases and risk factors: a literature review.
abstract: Degenerative diseases of the central nervous system are significant causes of mortality among elderly people in industrialized countries. For the most part, the causes of these diseases are unknown. It is also very difficult to diagnose this type of disease quickly and accurately. This article reviews the epidemiological research on the principal neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on geographical, hereditary and viral and toxicological exposure correlates. We look in particular at the effect of exposure to toxins as well as the effect that deficiencies of elements such as calcium and selenium could have on the development of these neurological diseases. We also consider the possible protectionist effect of some variables on the development of certain neurological diseases.
authors.affiliation: Projet IMAGE, Centre Hospitalier Côte-des-Neiges, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Emard
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thouez
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gauvreau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007729:Kuru / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000633:toxicity; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins; D014131:Trace Elements