:
TO  : MTS@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu ............ Tom Sanford
    : murray@sumax.seattleu.edu ....... MaryAnne Murray
    : stever@tessi.com ................ Steve Rintala
    : SMIRNES@IMIHSRA.BITNET .......... S. Palazzi, MD
    : PHIP@TEMPLEVM.BITNET ............ Tina Phipps, Ph.D.
    : RRICCIUT@WCU.BITNET ............. Rae Ricciuti
    : andrew@uaneuro.uah.ualberta.ca .. Andrew Penn, MD
    : IEQZ96M@TJUVM.BITNET ............ Michele Lee
    : sissi@tinman.gene.com ........... Sissi Tchehrazi
    : linda@nuhub.acs.northeastern.edu  Douglas Hanson, Ph.D.
    : smith@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu ....... Linda Smith, Assoc. Professor
    : Jim.Knox@um.cc.umich.edu ........ Jim Knox
    : Tom.Butts@um.cc.umich.edu ....... Tom Butts
    : Lori.Nelson@Forsythe.Stanford.edu Lorene Nelson, Asst. Professor
    :
FROM: broedel@geomag.gly.fsu.edu ...... Bob Broedel
    :
RE  : ALS DISCUSSION GROUP 
    :


Date   : Mon, 11 Jan 93 10:07:47 PST
To     : bro@huey.met.fsu.edu
From   : "Lorene Nelson" <Lori.Nelson@Forsythe.Stanford.EDU>
Subject: RE: ALS Risk Factors

REPLY TO 01/08/93 18:52 FROM bro@huey.met.fsu.edu "Bob Broedel": als 

Dear Bob:
I read with interest your questions regarding possible risk factors
for ALS.  I wish that the information existed for supplying a
definitive answer to each question, but the "state of the art" of
epidemiologic studies of ALS is far behind similar studies of
cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc.  A good general reference to
read is a chapter in the following book:  Neuroepidemiology:  A
Tribute to Bruce Schoenberg.  Dalla Anderson (ed.), CRC Press, 1991,
pp. 265-296.

You expressed interest in two metals, mercury and aluminum.  A
couple of studies have suggested that there is an association
between neurotoxic metal exposure and the development of ALS.  Among
the metals implicated were lead, mercury, arsenic, and manganese.
To my knowledge, aluminum has not been implicated, although some
studies have suggested a possible link between aluminum exposure and
ALzheimer's disease.  Other neurotoxic substances that have been
investigated in ALS have included organic solvents (one positive
study) and agricultural chemicals (given an apparent excess of ALS
among farm workers).  I am involved with a study of ALS where the
primary objective is to investigate the role of environmental
toxicants (primarily workplace exposures) in ALS.  We are in year 3
of 5, so no results will be ready for another couple of years.

I know of no studies that address your other concerns (selenium,
phosphate, Clorodane, Metamucil), which is not to say that they do
not have merit.  I know of no reason why there should be a link
between migraine and ALS, or between Lyme disease and ALS, but
again, the state of knowledge isn't extensive.  Electric blankets
have received attention because of the possible link between
electromagnetic fields and cancer.  Again, no information regarding
ALS in this respect.

I hope that this information (lack of information?) is of some help.

- Lorene Nelson, PhD


== end of als 10 ==