Keratinous biomarker of mercury exposure associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk in a nationwide U.S. study

At a glance

This paper looks at toenail clippings to understand the effects of mercury on ALS

Affiliates

Angeline S. Andrew1, Katie M. O'Brien2, Brian P. Jackson3, Dale P. Sandler2, Wendy E. Kaye4, Laurie Wagner4, Elijah W. Stommel1, D. Kevin Horton5, Paul Mehta5, and Clarice R. Weinberg2

  1. Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
  2. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
  3. Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College
  4. McKing Consulting Corp
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

Journal

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration

Summary

Trace element analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) on the nail clippings from the National ALS Biorepository were performed to understand the effects of mercury exposure and ALS. Findings suggests that excessive mercury exposure may by associated with the neurodegenerative health of aging populations.

Link to paper

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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry