Cocaine use and abuse triggering sporadic young-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
To our knowledge, we describe for the first time the case of a male patient with sporadic young-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, most likely attributed to chronic regular cocaine use and abuse. Our case supports the view that cocaine use and abuse may trigger a process of motor neuron degeneration by mechanisms implicating alterations in the neurobiology of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and its receptors.
Argyriou
Andreas A
AA
Department of Neurology, Saint Andrew's State General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece. andargyriou@yahoo.gr
Karanasios
Panagiotis
P
Makridou
Alexandra
A
Vlachou
Maria
M
Giannakopoulou
Fotini
F
Makris
Nicolaos
N
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism
D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D003042:Cocaine