ALS risk factors

Taking part in certain recreational activities, including gardening, golfing, woodworking, and hunting, may increase the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), especially for men, according to a new study. While the causes of ALS still are not well understood, several risk factors have been identified. There’s evidence…

Cigarette smoking, either currently or in the past, significantly increases the likelihood of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), particularly for women, according to a pooled meta-analysis of 32 studies. A risk of the neurodegenerative condition was higher in current smokers, and it increased in a non-linear manner with more…

Exposure to certain toxic airborne chemicals used in industry significantly increases — by up to six times — the odds of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study suggests. Findings underscore the importance of surveillance programs testing exposure to these airborne pollutants, especially among populations at risk. The study,…

A person’s degree of exposure to multiple environmental pollutants — reflected by their presence in the blood — may be used to predict amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk and survival, according to new research. Greater exposure to these chemicals was associated with increased odds of an individual developing ALS,…

Higher long-term exposure to certain forms of air pollution — specifically coarse particulate matter, such as that from traffic pollutants — significantly increases the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in postmenopausal women, a study showed. “Although the effects noted within the current study are limited by sample size…

There is no compelling evidence to suggest any medication increases the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a review of published studies. If anything, classes of drugs including anti-hypertensives, cholesterol-lowering statins, aspirin, and oral contraceptives may be associated with a lower risk of ALS, although several…

Rare mutations in the TP73 gene, which is involved in the regulation of a cell’s life cycle, may put a person at greater risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a genetic analysis of nearly 2,900 sporadic ALS patients. Such mutations were found to affect the maturation and survival of…

Jan Veldink, a neurologist from the Netherlands whose work in the genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has led to important discoveries about disease risk, won the 2021 Sheila Essey Award, according to a blog post  from the ALS Association. The $50,000 award was presented at the recent…