title: Potential Environmental Factors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
abstract: The causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are largely unknown, and may always be multiple, including environmental factors. Monogenetic determinants of ALS are involved in roughly 20% of all cases (including 10% familial cases). Less well understood multigenetic causes may contribute to another 20% to 80%. Environmental factors likely play a role in the development of ALS in susceptible individuals, but proved causation remains elusive. This article discusses the possible factors of male gender (males are selectively exposed to different influences, or genetically predisposed to be susceptible), smoking, military service, exercise, electrical exposure, heavy metals, agricultural chemicals, and geographic clusters.
authors.affiliation: UC Davis Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic, An ALS Association Certified Center of Excellence, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3700, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. Electronic address: boskarsson@ucdavis.edu.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oskarsson
authors.affiliation: Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, ATSDR/CDC, 4770 Buford Highway Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
authors.forename: D Kevin
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.affiliation: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Research Center, The Neurological Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, 710 West 168th Street, Floor 9, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitsumoto
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: ALS; Environmental risk factors; Epidemiology; Gender; Military service; Oxidative stress; Smoking