title: Risk agents related to work and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: An occupational medicine focus.
abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscular paralysis reflecting degeneration of motor neurons. In recent years, in addition to several studies about genetic mechanisms leading to motor neurons damage, various epigenetic theories have been developed, involving the study of the patients' work and lifestyle. The work aims at focusing the role of occupational exposure related to ALS by literature data analysis. Articles, selected on the basis of keywords, year of publication and topics, are related to occupational exposure, suggesting an impact on ALS onset. The literature review shows that there are still a lot of biases in the studies design, which actually do not allow to draw unequivocal conclusions.
authors.affiliation: Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy (Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene, Occupational Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Occupational Medicine Area). elpidio.m.garzillo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elpidio Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Garzillo
authors.affiliation: Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy (Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene, Occupational Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Occupational Medicine Area). nadia.miraglia@unina2.it.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miraglia
authors.affiliation: Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy (Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene, Occupational Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Occupational Medicine Area). paola.pedata@unina2.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pedata
authors.affiliation: Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy (Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene, Occupational Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Occupational Medicine Area). daniela.feola@libero.it.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feola
authors.affiliation: Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy (Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene, Occupational Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Occupational Medicine Area). monica.lamberti@unina2.it.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lamberti
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity; D012307:Risk Factors; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010575:Pesticides; D012997:Solvents
keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; heavy metals; neurodegenerative processes; occupational exposure; occupational medicine; working adults