Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Possible role of environmental influences

This treatise briefly discusses the genetic features of ALS and reviews environmental exposures in sporadic ALS. At least 10 genetic foci are responsible for cases of familial motor neuron disease and more are yet to be discovered. Research into sporadic ALS suggests that abundant factors apparently participate in the disease process. A singular cause and unifying pathogenesis for sporadic ALS remain elusive. As with weakness in muscle disease and nerve dysfunction in polyneuropathies, a multitude of genetic, toxic, autoimmune, infectious, and systemic processes seem to be at play. The ALS syndrome likely will not be dissimilar.