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Bozzoni V, Pansarasa O, Diamanti L, Nosari G, Cereda C, Ceroni M. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and environmental factors. FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGY 2016; 31:7-19. [PMID: 27027889 DOI: 10.11138/fneur/2016.31.1.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects central and peripheral motor neuron cells. Its etiology is unknown, although a relationship between genetic background and environmental factors may play a major role in triggering the neurodegeneration. In this review, we analyze the role of environmental factors in ALS: heavy metals, electromagnetic fields and electric shocks, pesticides, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, physical activity and the controversial role of sports. The literature on the single issues is analyzed in an attempt to clarify, as clearly as possible, whether each risk factor significantly contributes to the disease pathogenesis. After summarizing conflicting observations and data, the authors provide a final synthetic statement.
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Abstract
Descriptions of motor neuron disease (MND) documented more than a century ago remain instantly recognisable to the physician. The muscle weakness, typically with signs of upper and lower motor neuron dysfunction, is uniquely relentless. Over the last 30 years, a wider cerebral pathology has emerged, despite the lack of overt cognitive impairment in the majority of patients. From the initial linkage of a small number of cases to mutations in SOD1, diverse cellular pathways have been implicated in pathogenesis. An increasingly complex clinical heterogeneity has emerged around a significant variability in survival. Defining a cellular signature of aggregated TDP-43 common to nearly all MND and a large proportion of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), has placed MND alongside more traditional cerebral neurodegeneration. With new genetic causes, most notably a hexanucleotide expansion in C9orf72 associated with both MND and FTD, the development of biomarkers against which to test therapeutic candidates is a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin R Turner
- Medical Research Council senior clinical fellow, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, UK
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53
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Mathis S, Couratier P, Julian A, Vallat JM, Corcia P, Le Masson G. Management and therapeutic perspectives in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 17:263-276. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1227705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Mathis
- Department of Neurology, Neuro-Muscular Unit and ALS Center, CHU de Bordeaux, groupe hospitalier Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France
| | - Philippe Couratier
- Department of Neurology, ALS center, Centre de compétence SLA-fédération Tours-Limoges, CHU de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Adrien Julian
- Department of Neurology, CHU Poitiers, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Jean-Michel Vallat
- Department and Laboratory of Neurology, Centre de Référence ‘neuropathies périphériques rares’, University Hospital of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Philippe Corcia
- Department of Neurology, ALS center, Centre de compétence SLA-fédération Tours-Limoges, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Gwendal Le Masson
- Department of Neurology, Neuro-Muscular Unit and ALS Center, CHU de Bordeaux, groupe hospitalier Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron disease is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The primary involvement is of motor neurons in the brain, spinal cord and peripherally. There is secondary weakness of muscles and primary involvement of other brain regions, especially involving cognition. SOURCES OF DATA Peer-reviewed journal articles and reviews. PubMed.gov AREAS OF AGREEMENT The pathogenesis of ALS remains largely unknown. There are a wide range of potential mechanisms related to neurodegeneration. An increasing number of genetic factors are recognized. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY There remains controversy, or lack of knowledge, in explaining how cellular events manifest as the complex human disease. There is controversy as to how well cellular and animal models of disease relate to the human disease. GROWING POINTS Large-scale international collaborative genetic epidemiological studies are replacing local studies. Therapies related to pathogenesis remain elusive, with the greatest advances to date relating to provision of care (including multidisciplinary management) and supportive care (nutrition and respiratory support). AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH The identification of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeats as the most frequent genetic background to ALS, and the association with frontotemporal dementia, gives the potential of a genetic background against which to study other risk factors, triggers and pathogenic mechanisms, and to develop potential therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Morgan
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Richard W Orrell
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK
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Kioumourtzoglou MA, Seals RM, Gredal O, Mittleman MA, Hansen J, Weisskopf MG. Cardiovascular disease and diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A population based study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2016; 17:548-554. [PMID: 27436717 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2016.1208247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly fatal neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology. We investigated the association between ALS diagnosis and prior cardiovascular disease (CVD), and CVD-specific, hospital admissions in the Danish population. We conducted a population based nested case-control study, including 3182 Danish residents diagnosed with ALS at age ≥20 years (1982-2009) and 100 randomly selected controls for each case, matched on age, gender and vital status. We estimated odds ratios (OR) associated with CVD, and CVD-specific hospital admissions, adjusting for socioeconomic and marital status, region of residence and past diabetes and obesity diagnoses. The estimated adjusted OR for any CVD admission at least three years prior to the date of ALS diagnosis was 1.15 (95% CI 1.04-1.27). Our results varied across cause-specific admissions; for atherosclerosis the OR was 1.36 (95% CI 1.02-1.80) and for ischemic heart disease 1.14 (95% CI 0.99-1.31), while we observed no association with hypertensive and cerebrovascular diseases. Adjusting for or stratifying by COPD status, a cigarette-smoking correlate, did not change our results. In conclusion, in our population based study we found evidence for a moderately elevated association with CVD that was stronger for specific conditions, such as atherosclerosis. Our findings may have important implications for ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan M Seals
- b Epidemiology , Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , Massachusetts , USA
| | - Ole Gredal
- c National Rehabilitation Center for Neuromuscular Disorders , Copenhagen , and
| | - Murray A Mittleman
- b Epidemiology , Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , Massachusetts , USA
| | - Johnni Hansen
- d Danish Cancer Society Research Center , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- a Departments of Environmental Health.,b Epidemiology , Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , Massachusetts , USA
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Harwood CA, Westgate K, Gunstone S, Brage S, Wareham NJ, McDermott CJ, Shaw PJ. Long-term physical activity: an exogenous risk factor for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2016; 17:377-84. [PMID: 26998882 PMCID: PMC4950417 DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2016.1154575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To conduct a geographically defined, UK-based case-control study, to examine any association between physical activity (PA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS A novel historical PA questionnaire was designed, validated, and subsequently administered in individual face-to-face interviews of 175 newly diagnosed sporadic ALS cases and 317 age- and sex-matched community controls. Historical PA energy expenditure and time spent in vigorous-intensity PA were derived from questionnaire data and compared between cases and controls. RESULTS Participation in an extra 10kJ/kg/day of PA (equivalent to approximately 45minutes brisk walking) was consistently associated with an increased risk of ALS, with the strongest association observed for adulthood exercise-related PA (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10-1.97). An extra 10mins/day of vigorous PA was also associated with the odds of ALS (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1·01-1·05). Results were slightly attenuated following adjustment for smoking and educational attainment. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate a positive association between ALS and PA participation using a specifically designed and validated historical PA questionnaire. Despite the well-established health benefits of PA, a high activity lifestyle may also be associated with elevated risk of ALS. Large-scale prospective studies in the future may help to confirm this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceryl A. Harwood
- Academic Neurology Unit, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, 385A Glossop Road,
Sheffield,
S10 2HQ,
UK
| | - Kate Westgate
- Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus,
Cambridge,
CB22 0QQ,
UK
| | - Sue Gunstone
- Academic Neurology Unit, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, 385A Glossop Road,
Sheffield,
S10 2HQ,
UK
| | - Soren Brage
- Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus,
Cambridge,
CB22 0QQ,
UK
| | - Nicholas J. Wareham
- Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus,
Cambridge,
CB22 0QQ,
UK
| | - Christopher J. McDermott
- Academic Neurology Unit, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, 385A Glossop Road,
Sheffield,
S10 2HQ,
UK
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Academic Neurology Unit, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, 385A Glossop Road,
Sheffield,
S10 2HQ,
UK
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Zufiría M, Gil-Bea FJ, Fernández-Torrón R, Poza JJ, Muñoz-Blanco JL, Rojas-García R, Riancho J, López de Munain A. ALS: A bucket of genes, environment, metabolism and unknown ingredients. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 142:104-129. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Riva N, Agosta F, Lunetta C, Filippi M, Quattrini A. Recent advances in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2016; 263:1241-54. [PMID: 27025851 PMCID: PMC4893385 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-016-8091-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
ALS is a relentlessly progressive and fatal disease, with no curative therapies available to date. Symptomatic and palliative care, provided in a multidisciplinary context, still remains the cornerstone of ALS management. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease has advanced greatly over the past years, giving new hope for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Here, we have reviewed the most recent studies that have contributed to improving both clinical management and our understanding of ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilo Riva
- Neuropathology Unit, INSPE and Division of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 48, 20132, Milan, Italy.
| | - Federica Agosta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Niguarda Ca Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Neuropathology Unit, INSPE and Division of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 48, 20132, Milan, Italy
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Rooney J, Vajda A, Heverin M, Crampsie A, Tobin K, McLaughlin R, Staines A, Hardiman O. No association between soil constituents and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis relative risk in Ireland. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 147:102-107. [PMID: 26855128 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We have recently mapped ALS spatial risk in Ireland using Bayesian and cluster analysis methods at electoral division (ED) and small area (SA) levels. As a number of metal elements (both minerals and toxins) have been proposed as risk factors for ALS, here we extend this analysis to include soil constituents from the Irish National Soils Database as Bayesian conditional auto-regression covariates to determine associations with small area ALS risk. METHODS Data on 45 different soil parameters were obtained under license from National Soils Database (via Irish EPA). We interpolated average values of each soil constituent for each small area using ordinary kriging. All cases of ALS in Ireland from January 1995 to December 2013 were identified from the Irish ALS register and observed and age and gender standardised expected cases were calculated for each SA. Besag-York-Mollié (BYM) models were then built including each parameter from the national soils database in turn as a Bayesian covariate in the BYM model. Models were compared using the deviance information criterion (DIC) and separate models were built for ALS subtypes. RESULTS 1701 ALS patients were included - 959 (56%) were male, 938 (55%) had limb onset ALS. 315 Bayesian models were built in total. Of the 315 models built, only one resulted in a coefficient that did not overlap zero. For limb onset cases, total magnesium had a mean coefficient of 0.319 (credible interval 0.033-0.607). DISCUSSION We report the first spatial analysis of potential association between ALS and soil minerals using a population-based dataset collected over 18 years. Our sole non-zero finding is likely a random finding due to the high number of models built. We did not find any evidence to support soil mineral and toxin levels as risk factors for ALS. However as soil parameters are an ecological assessment of exposure in a given area, individual level measures of exposure are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Rooney
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Alice Vajda
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mark Heverin
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Arlene Crampsie
- School of Geography, University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Katy Tobin
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Russell McLaughlin
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Anthony Staines
- School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland; Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Ireland
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Eaglehouse YL, Talbott EO, Chang Y, Kuller LH. Participation in Physical Activity and Risk for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mortality Among Postmenopausal Women. JAMA Neurol 2016; 73:329-36. [PMID: 26783702 PMCID: PMC6044440 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2015.4487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal disease with no known cause. Case studies primarily of athletes and several case-control studies have suggested that high levels of strenuous physical activity (PA) may increase the risk for ALS. This relationship has yet to be evaluated among women in population-based cohort studies. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between PA and risk for ALS mortality in a large cohort of postmenopausal women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) enrolled 161 809 postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 79 years (mean [SD] age, 63.6 [7.24] years), between 1993 and 1998 into either a clinical trial or an observational study at 40 clinical research centers across the United States. We conducted a cohort study from November 2014 to September 2015 using baseline and mortality data during an average of 9.6 years of follow-up from the entire WHI cohort, through September 1, 2013 (with 1.1% lost to follow-up), to address whether there is a relationship between PA and ALS mortality. EXPOSURES The WHI assessed frequency and duration of mild, moderate, and strenuous PA at baseline via self-administered questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Underlying cause of death from ALS collected from death certificates. RESULTS The WHI enrolled 161 809 women, of whom 165 died of ALS; women who died of ALS were older (median age, 66 years; interquartile range, 61-69 years) compared with the total WHI study population (median age, 63 years; interquartile range, 57-69 years). Age-adjusted ALS mortality rates varied from 7.4 (95% CI, 5.5-9.9)/100 000 person-years for no strenuous PA to 10.6 (95% CI, 5.6-20.0)/100 000 person-years for strenuous PA 3 or more days per week (P = .07). Adjusted for age and body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), the odds ratio for death from ALS for participants with strenuous PA 3 or more days per week compared with no reported strenuous PA was 1.56 (95% CI, 1.02-2.37; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE To our knowledge, this is the first cohort study to report an increased risk for ALS mortality associated with strenuous PA in postmenopausal women. The association between strenuous PA and ALS risk observed does not compromise the overall benefit of strenuous PA for total mortality, coronary heart disease, and breast cancer reported in other WHI investigations, but it may provide an important clue to the etiology of ALS, if replicated by other studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne L Eaglehouse
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Science, Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania2Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Evelyn O Talbott
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yuefang Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lewis H Kuller
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Gallo V, Vanacore N, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Vermeulen R, Brayne C, Pearce N, Wark PA, Ward HA, Ferrari P, Jenab M, Andersen PM, Wennberg P, Wareham N, Katzke V, Kaaks R, Weiderpass E, Peeters PH, Mattiello A, Pala V, Barricante A, Chirlaque MD, Travier N, Travis RC, Sanchez MJ, Pessah-Rasmussen H, Petersson J, Tjønneland A, Tumino R, Quiros JR, Trichopoulou A, Kyrozis A, Oikonomidou D, Masala G, Sacerdote C, Arriola L, Boeing H, Vigl M, Claver-Chapelon F, Middleton L, Riboli E, Vineis P. Physical activity and risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in a prospective cohort study. Eur J Epidemiol 2016; 31:255-66. [PMID: 26968841 PMCID: PMC4820490 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-016-0119-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Previous case-control studies have suggested a possible increased risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with physical activity (PA), but this association has never been studied in prospective cohort studies. We therefore assessed the association between PA and risk of death from ALS in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. A total of 472,100 individuals were included in the analysis, yielding 219 ALS deaths. At recruitment, information on PA was collected thorough standardised questionnaires. Total PA was expressed by the Cambridge Physical Activity Index (CPAI) and analysed in relation to ALS mortality, using Cox hazard models. Interactions with age, sex, and anthropometric measures were assessed. Total PA was weakly inversely associated with ALS mortality with a borderline statistically significant trend across categories (p = 0.042), with those physically active being 33% less likely to die from ALS compared to those inactive: HR = 0.67 (95% CI 0.42-1.06). Anthropometric measures, sex, and age did not modify the association with CPAI. The present study shows a slightly decreased-not increased like in case-control studies-risk of dying from ALS in those with high levels of total PA at enrolment. This association does not appear confounded by age, gender, anthropometry, smoking, and education. Ours was the first prospective cohort study on ALS and physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Gallo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Campus - Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK.
- Barts and the London School of Medicine, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK.
| | | | - H Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Campus - Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carol Brayne
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Neil Pearce
- Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Petra A Wark
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Campus - Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK
| | - Heather A Ward
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Campus - Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK
| | - Pietro Ferrari
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France
| | - Mazda Jenab
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Patrik Wennberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nicholas Wareham
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Verena Katzke
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rudolf Kaaks
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elisabete Weiderpass
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Artic University of Norway, Tromsö, Norway
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-Based Cancer Research, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Folkhälsan Research Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petra H Peeters
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Campus - Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK
- Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Amalia Mattiello
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Pala
- Epidemiology and Prevention Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Aurelio Barricante
- Navarre Public Health Institute, Pamplona, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria-Dolores Chirlaque
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Epidemiology Department, Murcia Regional Health Council, Murcia, Spain
| | - Noémie Travier
- Unit of Nutrition, Environment and Cancer, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruth C Travis
- Cancer Epidemiological Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Maria-Jose Sanchez
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Jesper Petersson
- Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Rosario Tumino
- Ragusa Cancer Registry, Azienda Ospedaliera "Civile MP Arezzo", Ragusa, Italy
| | | | | | - Andreas Kyrozis
- Hellenic Health Foundation, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Giovanna Masala
- Molecular and Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, Cancer Research and Prevention Institute - ISPO, Florence, Italy
| | - Carlotta Sacerdote
- Centre for Cancer Prevention (CPO-Piemonte), Turin, Italy
- Human Genetic Foundation (HuGeF), Turin, Italy
| | - Larraitz Arriola
- Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Heiner Boeing
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Matthaeus Vigl
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Francoise Claver-Chapelon
- Inserm, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Lefkos Middleton
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Campus - Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK
| | - Elio Riboli
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Campus - Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK
| | - Paolo Vineis
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Campus - Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK
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Seals RM, Hansen J, Gredal O, Weisskopf MG. Physical Trauma and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Study Using Danish National Registries. Am J Epidemiol 2016; 183:294-301. [PMID: 26825926 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwv169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior studies have suggested that physical trauma might be associated with the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We conducted a population-based, individually matched case-control study in Denmark to assess whether hospitalization for trauma is associated with a higher risk of developing ALS. There were 3,650 incident cases of ALS in the Danish National Patient Register from 1982 to 2009. We used risk-set sampling to match each case to 100 age- and sex-matched population controls alive on the date of the case's diagnosis. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a conditional logistic regression model. History of trauma diagnosis was also obtained from the Danish Patient Register. When traumas in the 5 years prior to the index date were excluded, there was a borderline association between any trauma and ALS (odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99, 1.19). A first trauma before age 55 years was associated with ALS (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.37), whereas first traumas at older ages were not (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.85, 1.10). Our data suggest that physical trauma at earlier ages is associated with ALS risk. Age at first trauma could help explain discrepancies in results of past studies of trauma and ALS.
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Albani D, Pupillo E, Bianchi E, Chierchia A, Martines R, Forloni G, Beghi E. The role of single-nucleotide variants of the energy metabolism-linked genes SIRT3, PPARGC1A and APOE in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk. Genes Genet Syst 2016; 91:301-309. [DOI: 10.1266/ggs.16-00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Albani
- Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
| | - Elisabetta Pupillo
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
| | - Elisa Bianchi
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
| | - Armando Chierchia
- Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
| | - Rosalba Martines
- Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
| | - Ettore Beghi
- Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
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64
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Couratier P, Corcia P, Lautrette G, Nicol M, Preux PM, Marin B. Epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A review of literature. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2015; 172:37-45. [PMID: 26727307 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of motor neurons, resulting in worsening weakness of voluntary muscles until death occurs from respiratory failure. The incidence of ALS in European populations is two to three people per year per 100,000 of the general population. In Europe, crude prevalences range from 1.1/100,000 population in Yugoslavia to 8.2/100,000 in the Faroe Islands. Major advances have been made in our understanding of the genetic causes of ALS, whereas the contribution of environmental factors has been more difficult to assess and large-scale studies have not yet revealed a replicable, definitive environmental risk factor. The only established risk factors to date are older age, male gender and a family history of ALS. Median survival time from onset to death is usually 3 years from the first appearance of symptoms. Older age and bulbar onset are consistently reported to have poorer outcomes. However, there are conflicting data regarding gender, diagnostic delay and El Escorial criteria. The rate of symptom progression has been revealed to be an independent prognostic factor. Psychosocial factors and impaired cognitive function are negatively related to ALS outcome, while nutritional status and respiratory function are also related to ALS prognosis. The effect of enteral nutrition on survival is still unclear, although noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) has been found to improve survival. These findings have relevant implications for the design of future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Couratier
- Centre de compétence SLA-fédération Tours-Limoges, CHU de Limoges, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87000 Limoges, France; Inserm UMR1094, neuroépidémiologie tropicale, université de Limoges, 2, rue du Dr.-Marcland, 87025 Limoges cedex, France.
| | - P Corcia
- Centre de compétence SLA-fédération Tours-Limoges, CHU de Tours, 37044 Tours cedex 9, France
| | - G Lautrette
- Centre de compétence SLA-fédération Tours-Limoges, CHU de Limoges, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - M Nicol
- Centre de compétence SLA-fédération Tours-Limoges, CHU de Limoges, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - P-M Preux
- Inserm UMR1094, neuroépidémiologie tropicale, université de Limoges, 2, rue du Dr.-Marcland, 87025 Limoges cedex, France
| | - B Marin
- Inserm UMR1094, neuroépidémiologie tropicale, université de Limoges, 2, rue du Dr.-Marcland, 87025 Limoges cedex, France
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65
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Lunetta C, Lizio A, Sansone VA, Cellotto NM, Maestri E, Bettinelli M, Gatti V, Melazzini MG, Meola G, Corbo M. Strictly monitored exercise programs reduce motor deterioration in ALS: preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial. J Neurol 2015; 263:52-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-015-7924-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Yang X, Zhao Q, An R, Zheng J, Tian S, Xu Y. Association of the functional SNP rs2275294 in ZNF512B with risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease in Han Chinese. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2015; 17:142-7. [DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2015.1054291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Parkin Kullmann JA, Hayes S, Wang MX, Pamphlett R. Designing an Internationally Accessible Web-Based Questionnaire to Discover Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2015; 4:e96. [PMID: 26239255 PMCID: PMC4705359 DOI: 10.2196/resprot.4840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with a typical survival of three to five years. Epidemiological studies using paper-based questionnaires in individual countries or continents have failed to find widely accepted risk factors for the disease. The advantages of online versus paper-based questionnaires have been extensively reviewed, but few online epidemiological studies into human neurodegenerative diseases have so far been undertaken. Objective To design a Web-based questionnaire to identify environmental risk factors for ALS and enable international comparisons of these risk factors. Methods A Web-based epidemiological questionnaire for ALS has been developed based on experience gained from administering a previous continent-wide paper-based questionnaire for this disease. New and modified questions have been added from our previous paper-based questionnaire, from literature searches, and from validated ALS questionnaires supplied by other investigators. New criteria to allow the separation of familial and sporadic ALS cases have been included. The questionnaire addresses many risk factors that have already been proposed for ALS, as well as a number that have not yet been rigorously examined. To encourage participation, responses are collected anonymously and no personally identifiable information is requested. The survey is being translated into a number of languages which will allow many people around the world to read and answer it in their own language. Results After the questionnaire had been online for 4 months, it had 379 respondents compared to only 46 respondents for the same initial period using a paper-based questionnaire. The average age of the first 379 web questionnaire respondents was 54 years compared to the average age of 60 years for the first 379 paper questionnaire respondents. The questionnaire is soon to be promoted in a number of countries through ALS associations and disease registries. Conclusions Web-based questionnaires are a time- and resource-efficient method for performing large epidemiological studies of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. The ability to compare risk factors between different countries using the same analysis tool will be of particular value for finding robust risk factors that underlie ALS.
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69
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Fang F, Hållmarker U, James S, Ingre C, Michaëlsson K, Ahlbom A, Feychting M. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis among cross-country skiers in Sweden. Eur J Epidemiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10654-015-0077-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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70
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Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Does Not Exacerbate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the SOD1 (G93A) Rat Model. eNeuro 2015; 2:eN-NWR-0059-14. [PMID: 26464984 PMCID: PMC4586929 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0059-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 05/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disease in which upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, leading to muscle atrophy, paralysis, and death within 3 to 5 years of onset. While a small percentage of ALS cases are genetically linked, the majority are sporadic with unknown origin. Currently, etiological links are associated with disease onset without mechanistic understanding. Of all the putative risk factors, however, head trauma has emerged as a consistent candidate for initiating the molecular cascades of ALS. Here, we test the hypothesis that traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the SOD1G93A transgenic rat model of ALS leads to early disease onset and shortened lifespan. We demonstrate, however, that a one-time acute focal injury caused by controlled cortical impact does not affect disease onset or survival. Establishing the negligible involvement of a single acute focal brain injury in an ALS rat model increases the current understanding of the disease. Critically, untangling a single focal TBI from multiple mild injuries provides a rationale for scientists and physicians to increase focus on repeat injuries to hopefully pinpoint a contributing cause of ALS.
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Haller-Kikkatalo K, Uibo R, Kurg A, Salumets A. The prevalence and phenotypic characteristics of spontaneous premature ovarian failure: a general population registry-based study. Hum Reprod 2015; 30:1229-38. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease. It is typically fatal within 2-5 years of symptom onset. The incidence of ALS is largely uniform across most parts of the world, but an increasing ALS incidence during the last decades has been suggested. Although recent genetic studies have substantially improved our understanding of the causes of ALS, especially familial ALS, an important role of non-genetic factors in ALS is recognized and needs further study. In this review, we briefly discuss several major genetic contributors to ALS identified to date, followed by a more focused discussion on the most commonly examined non-genetic risk factors for ALS. We first review factors related to lifestyle choices, including smoking, intake of antioxidants, physical fitness, body mass index, and physical exercise, followed by factors related to occupational and environmental exposures, including electromagnetic fields, metals, pesticides, β-methylamino-L-alanine, and viral infection. Potential links between ALS and other medical conditions, including head trauma, metabolic diseases, cancer, and inflammatory diseases, are also discussed. Finally, we outline several future directions aiming to more efficiently examine the role of non-genetic risk factors in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Ingre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per M Roos
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Freya Kamel
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Head trauma in sport and neurodegenerative disease: an issue whose time has come? Neurobiol Aging 2014; 36:1383-9. [PMID: 25725943 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A number of small studies and anecdotal reports have been suggested that sports involving repeated head trauma may have long-term risks of neurodegenerative disease. There are now plausible mechanisms for these effects, and a recognition that these problems do not just occur in former boxers, but in a variety of sports involving repeated concussions, and possibly also in sports in which low-level head trauma is common. These neurodegenerative effects potentially include increased risks of impaired cognitive function and dementia, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Many would argue for taking a precautionary approach and immediately banning or restricting sports such as boxing. However, there are important public health issues in terms of how wide the net should be cast in terms of other sports, and what remedial measures could be taken? This in turn requires a major research effort involving both clinical and basic research to understand the underlying mechanisms, leading from head trauma to neurodegenerative disease and epidemiologic studies to assess the long-term consequences.
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Desport JC, Jésus P, Fayemendy P, Pouchard L. Activité physique lors de la sclérose latérale amyotrophique. NUTR CLIN METAB 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nupar.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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75
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Hamidou B, Couratier P, Besançon C, Nicol M, Preux PM, Marin B. Epidemiological evidence that physical activity is not a risk factor for ALS. Eur J Epidemiol 2014; 29:459-75. [PMID: 24986107 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-014-9923-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate whether physical activity (PA) and sport increase the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a literature review of epidemiological studies was conducted according to the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Six databases (Pubmed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, IngentaConnect, Refdoc and the Cochrane database) were searched to April 2014. Experts were asked to identify studies in press. Studies of interest were examined for their level of evidence and synthetized using Armon's classification for exogenous risk factors for ALS. Of 37 epidemiological works included in the review, two (5.5%) provided class I evidence, and five (13.5%) class II. Others offered evidence of class III (n = 8, 21.6%), IV (n = 16, 43.2%) and V (n = 6, 16.2%). Results were stratified according to type of exposure: (1) PA related to sport and work (n = 14), (2) soccer and American football (n = 9), (3) occupation (n = 12), (4) proxies of PA (n = 2). Among articles which considered "PA related to sport and work", two class I studies and one class II study concluded that PA is not a risk factor for ALS. This evidence establishes (level A) that PA is not a risk factor for ALS. As regards "occupational related activity" a level of evidence of U was obtained (it is unknown whether the professional category "physical worker" is a risk factor for ALS). Football/soccer may be considered as a possible risk factor for ALS (level C) and there is a need for further research taking into account the numerous confounding factors that may arise in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bello Hamidou
- INSERM UMR1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Faculté de Médecine, 2 rue du Dr Marcland, 87025, Limoges Cedex, France
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