Two U.S. representatives have introduced legislation that would establish a federally funded research program to study the link between environmental factors and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. The Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research and Innovation in Neurological Science (Healthy…

Minnesota lawmaker Dave Lislegard has introduced two measures in the state’s legislature that would invest tens of millions of dollars in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and caregiver support. The first bill, HF 3603, would appropriate $20 million to the University of Minnesota for competitive research grants to…

Strenuous, intense exercise done frequently is an environmental risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in people with ALS risk genes, particularly those who carry a faulty C9ORF72 gene, a study concluded. Future research is needed to better understand and identify people at disease risk due to such exercise,…

Factors like head trauma or fracture, electric shock, playing some competitive sports, drinking water from private wells, use of herbicides for gardening, and taking specific dietary supplements all may be associated with the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study. However, larger studies are required…

The more a person is exposed to diesel exhaust, the greater the chance they will develop ALS, a Harvard University study on Denmark reports. The team will present the findings at the American Academy of Neurology‘s 70th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, April 21 to 27. The presentation is titled “…

A previously unknown mutation in the BICD2 gene caused juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a Chinese woman in her 20s, according to a case study. The gene had previously been linked to other neurodegenerative conditions, prompting researchers to believe that the mutation can give rise to ALS when other…

Heavy metal pollution may not be as important as previously thought in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to new research by Italian scientists.

Persistent environmental pollutants like pesticides are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and may represent modifiable ALS disease risk factors, according to a study published online in JAMA Neurology, titled “Association of Environmental Toxins With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.” ALS is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease. Persistent exposure to…