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Riancho J, Bosque-Varela P, Perez-Pereda S, Povedano M, de Munaín AL, Santurtun A. The increasing importance of environmental conditions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2018; 62:1361-1374. [PMID: 29713861 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-018-1550-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons (MNs). Although a small percentage of ALS has a familial origin, the vast majority of cases are sporadic in which genetic factors and environment interact with each other leading to disease onset in genetically predisposed individuals. In the current model of the disease, each individual has a determined genetic load, some degree of cell degeneration related to age and several risky environmental exposures. In this scenario, MN degeneration would occur when the sum of these factors reach a certain threshold. To date, an extensive list of environmental factors has been associated to ALS, including different categories, such as exposure to heavy metals and other toxicants, cyanotoxins or infectious agents. In addition, in recent years, lifestyle and other demographic parameters are gaining relevance in the genesis of the disease. Among them, physical activity, nutrition, body mass index, cardiovascular risk factors, autoimmune diseases and cancer are some of the conditions which have been related to the disease. In this review, we will discuss the potential mechanisms of environmental conditions in motor neuron degeneration. Understanding the role of each one of these factors as well as their interactions appears as a crucial step in order to develop new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Riancho
- Service of Neurology, Hospital Sierrallana, Institute of Research Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Torrelavega, Spain.
- Department of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Instituto Carlos III, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pilar Bosque-Varela
- Service of Neurology, University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Sara Perez-Pereda
- Service of Neurology, University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Mónica Povedano
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Instituto Carlos III, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Madrid, Spain
- Service of Neurology-Motor Neuron Unit, IDIBELL, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adolfo López de Munaín
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Instituto Carlos III, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Madrid, Spain
- ALS Multidisciplinary Unit, Hospital Donostia- Neuroscience Area, Donostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ana Santurtun
- Toxicology Unit, Physiology and Farmacology Department, University of Cantabria-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
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Castanedo-Vazquez D, Bosque-Varela P, Sainz-Pelayo A, Riancho J. Infectious agents and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: another piece of the puzzle of motor neuron degeneration. J Neurol 2018; 266:27-36. [PMID: 29845377 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-8919-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons (MN). This fatal disease is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and lacks an effective treatment. ALS pathogenesis has not been elucidated yet. In a small proportion of ALS patients, the disease has a familial origin, related to mutations in specific genes, which directly result in MN degeneration. By contrast, the vast majority of cases are though to be sporadic, in which genes and environment interact leading to disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Lately, the role of the environment has gained relevance in this field and an extensive list of environmental conditions have been postulated to be involved in ALS. Among them, infectious agents, particularly viruses, have been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. These agents could act by interacting with some crucial pathways in MN degeneration, such as gene processing, oxidative stress or neuroinflammation. In this article, we will review the main studies about the involvement of microorganisms in ALS, subsequently discussing their potential pathogenic effect and integrating them as another piece in the puzzle of ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pilar Bosque-Varela
- Service of Neurology, University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | | | - Javier Riancho
- Service of Neurology, Hospital Sierrallana-IDIVAL, Torrelavega, Spain. .,CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain.
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Zufiría M, Gil-Bea FJ, Fernández-Torrón R, Poza JJ, Muñoz-Blanco JL, Rojas-García R, Riancho J, López de Munain A. ALS: A bucket of genes, environment, metabolism and unknown ingredients. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 142:104-129. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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