title: Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: new hypothesis regarding its etiology and pathogenesis suggests that astrocytes might be the primary target hosting a still unknown external agent.
abstract: This article briefly describes the already known clinical features and pathogenic mechanisms underlying sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, namely excitoxicity, oxidative stress, protein damage, inflammation, genetic abnormalities and neuronal death. Thereafter, it puts forward the hypothesis that astrocytes may be the cells which serve as targets for the harmful action of a still unknown environmental agent, while neuronal death may be a secondary event following the initial insult to glial cells. The article also suggests that an emergent virus or a misfolded infectious protein might be potential candidates to accomplish this task.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiological Investigations, Neurological Unit, School of Medicine, Buenos Aires University, Pueyrredon 1061 / piso 10, dpto. B 1118, Buenos Aires - Argentina. rsica@fmed.uba.ar
authors.forename: Roberto E P
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Sica
authors.forename: Alejandro F De
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Nicola
authors.forename: María C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: González Deniselle
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Gisella M Gargiulo
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Monachelli
authors.forename: Liliana Martinez
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Peralta
authors.forename: Mariela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bettini
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018698:Glutamic Acid