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Spencer PS, Palmer VS, Kisby GE, Lagrange E, Horowitz BZ, Valdes Angues R, Reis J, Vernoux JP, Raoul C, Camu W. Early-onset, conjugal, twin-discordant, and clusters of sporadic ALS: Pathway to discovery of etiology via lifetime exposome research. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1005096. [PMID: 36860617 PMCID: PMC9969898 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1005096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The identity and role of environmental factors in the etiology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) is poorly understood outside of three former high-incidence foci of Western Pacific ALS and a hotspot of sALS in the French Alps. In both instances, there is a strong association with exposure to DNA-damaging (genotoxic) chemicals years or decades prior to clinical onset of motor neuron disease. In light of this recent understanding, we discuss published geographic clusters of ALS, conjugal cases, single-affected twins, and young-onset cases in relation to their demographic, geographic and environmental associations but also whether, in theory, there was the possibility of exposure to genotoxic chemicals of natural or synthetic origin. Special opportunities to test for such exposures in sALS exist in southeast France, northwest Italy, Finland, the U.S. East North Central States, and in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Given the degree and timing of exposure to an environmental trigger of ALS may be related to the age at which the disease is expressed, research should focus on the lifetime exposome (from conception to clinical onset) of young sALS cases. Multidisciplinary research of this type may lead to the identification of ALS causation, mechanism, and primary prevention, as well as to early detection of impending ALS and pre-clinical treatment to slow development of this fatal neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Valerie S. Palmer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Glen E. Kisby
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, United States
| | - Emmeline Lagrange
- Department of Neurology, Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disease and ALS Consultations, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - B. Zane Horowitz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon-Alaska Poison Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Raquel Valdes Angues
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jacques Reis
- University of Strasbourg, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Paul Vernoux
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Unité de Recherche Aliments Bioprocédés Toxicologie Environnements, Caen, France
| | - Cédric Raoul
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - William Camu
- ALS Reference Center, Montpellier University Hospital and University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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Saastamoinen P, Laaksovirta H, Leino-Arjas P, Rahkonen O. New evidence on the association of occupation with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A register-based case-control study in Finland. Front Neurol 2022; 13:859824. [PMID: 36188364 PMCID: PMC9515316 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.859824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a serious neurodegenerative disease that usually leads to death within a few years from diagnosis. The risk factors for ALS are still largely unknown. However, it is assumed that environmental factors play a role in disease onset. Occupation is suggested as a potential risk factor, but findings are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the association of occupation with ALS in Finland. Register data were used to avoid recall bias and to obtain a large enough sample to detect the potential associations.MethodsThis case-control study included ALS cases that occurred between 1980 and 2015 in Finland (n = 4,781). ALS cases were identified from the causes of death register. For each ALS case, six controls were selected matched for sex and birth-year. The date of death of the ALS case was set as index date. Information on occupation was obtained from Statistics Finland for all subjects. The focus was on the longest-held occupation on 2-digit level (70 groups). The association of occupation with ALS was analyzed using conditional logistic regression.ResultsCompared to “clerical work and other office work,” the risk of ALS was increased in “packing and wrapping work” (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.08–2.17), “laundering, dry cleaning and pressing work” (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.08–3.08), and “travel service work” (OR 8.75, CI 2.76–27.74). A decreased risk was found in “planning, administrative and research work in the technical fields” (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48–0.98). Of the significant associations identified, only “travel service work” was significant after FDR multiple testing correction.ConclusionsThis study identified occupations in which the risk of ALS was increased. Further studies are needed to pinpoint the potential exposures in these occupations that may trigger the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peppiina Saastamoinen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Medical Association, Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Peppiina Saastamoinen
| | | | | | - Ossi Rahkonen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Vasta R, Chia R, Traynor BJ, Chiò A. Unraveling the complex interplay between genes, environment, and climate in ALS. EBioMedicine 2022; 75:103795. [PMID: 34974309 PMCID: PMC8728044 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Various genetic and environmental risk factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite this, the cause of most ALS cases remains obscure. In this review, we describe the current evidence implicating genetic and environmental factors in motor neuron degeneration. While the risk exerted by many environmental factors may appear small, their effect could be magnified by the presence of a genetic predisposition. We postulate that gene-environment interactions account for at least a portion of the unknown etiology in ALS. Climate underlies multiple environmental factors, some of which have been implied in ALS etiology, and the impact of global temperature increase on the gene-environment interactions should be carefully monitored. We describe the main concepts underlying such interactions. Although a lack of large cohorts with detailed genetic and environmental information hampers the search for gene-environment interactions, newer algorithms and machine learning approaches offer an opportunity to break this stalemate. Understanding how genetic and environmental factors interact to cause ALS may ultimately pave the way towards precision medicine becoming an integral part of ALS care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Vasta
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, Turin 1026, Italy; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ruth Chia
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 1PJ, UK; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA; ASO Rapid Development Laboratory, Therapeutics Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, Turin 1026, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R., Rome 00185, Italy; Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy.
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D'Ovidio F, Rooney JPK, Visser AE, Manera U, Beghi E, Logroscino G, Vermeulen RCH, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH, Hardiman O, Chiò A. Association between alcohol exposure and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Euro-MOTOR study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019; 90:11-19. [PMID: 30076269 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-318559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several studies focused on the association between alcohol consumption and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), although with inconsistent findings. Antioxidants may play a role since lyophilised red wine was found to prolong SOD1 mice lifespan. The aim of this international population-based case-control study performed in Ireland, The Netherlands and Italy was to assess the role of alcohol, and red wine in particular, in developing ALS. METHODS Euro-MOTOR is a case-control study where patients with incident ALS and controls matched for gender, age and area of residency were recruited in a population-based design. Logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, cohort, education, leisure time physical activity, smoking, heart problems, hypertension, stroke, cholesterol and diabetes were performed. RESULTS 1557 patients with ALS and 2922 controls were enrolled in the study. Exposure to alcohol drinking was not significantly associated with ALS risk. A stratified analysis of exposure to alcohol by cohort revealed significant ORs in The Netherlands and in Apulia, with opposite directions (respectively 0.68 and 2.38). With regard to red wine consumption, only in Apulia the double-fold increased risk (OR 2.53) remained significant. A decreased risk was found for current alcohol drinkers (OR 0.83), while a significantly increased risk was detected among former drinkers (OR 1.63). Analysis of cumulative exposure to alcohol revealed no significant associations with ALS risk. CONCLUSION With few exceptions, no significant association was found between alcohol consumption and ALS. The study of the association between alcohol and ALS requires a thorough exploration, especially considering the role of different type of alcoholic beverages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio D'Ovidio
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - James P K Rooney
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anne E Visser
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Umberto Manera
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ettore Beghi
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Roel C H Vermeulen
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Herman Veldink
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adriano Chiò
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Dickerson AS, Hansen J, Kioumourtzoglou MA, Specht AJ, Gredal O, Weisskopf MG. Study of occupation and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Danish cohort. Occup Environ Med 2018; 75:630-638. [PMID: 29941657 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2018-105110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several manuscripts have proposed associations between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and occupational toxicant exposures-not to mention physical activity and trauma/injury. Some have also reported associations in investigations of specific occupations. Using data from a prospective Danish cohort study, we investigated the association between employment in certain industries and ALS diagnosis. METHODS We identified 1826 ALS cases who were 25 years old or less in 1964 and diagnosed from 1982 to 2013 from the Danish National Patient Registry then matched 100 population controls to each case based on birth year and sex. Demographic data were linked to the Danish Pension Fund to determine occupation history. Conditional logistic regression models were adjusted for socioeconomic status, marital status and residential location at the index date. RESULTS There was an increase in odds of ALS among men who worked in agriculture, hunting, forestry or fishing (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.21; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.45). There was also a positive association for men employed in construction (aOR=1.21; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.39). In women, a protective association was seen with employment in the cleaning industry (aOR=0.69; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.93). CONCLUSIONS Our study shows various occupations with exposure to toxicants, such as diesel exhaust and lead, and strenuous physical activity associated with increased odds of ALS in men. Future studies should have a particular focus on gathering detailed information on physical exertion and toxicant exposures specific to certain job tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha S Dickerson
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Johnni Hansen
- Danish Cancer Society, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Aaron J Specht
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ole Gredal
- Danish Cancer Society, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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