Key points
Investigate the ALS risk associated with pesticides used on crops in the US
Affiliates
Angeline Andrew [1], Jie Zhou [2], Jiang Gui [2], Antoinette Harrison [3], Xun Shi [2], Meifang Li [2], Bart Guetti [1], Ramaa Nathan [4], Maeve Tischbein [1], Erik P. Pioro [6], Elijah Stommel [1], Walter Bradley [5]
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
- Dartmouth College, Hanover
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.
- Eversana, Wayne
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami
- Center for ALS and Related Disorders, Cleveland Clinic
Summary
This study investigates the potential of neurotoxic pesticides in the etiology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Geospatial estimations of crop-applied pesticides on the county level were estimated and assessed for positive associations to ALS cases. Findings supported a positive association between neurotoxic pesticide exposures and sporadic ALS, and call for focused studies to assess causality.