Sun Exposure and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Israel Steiner
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1994)

Letters15 May 1994Sun Exposure and Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisIsrael Steiner, MD, Bettina Birmanns, MD, and Amos Panet, PhDIsrael Steiner, MDHadassah University Hospital; Jerusalem, 91120Search for more papers by this author, Bettina Birmanns, MDHadassah University Hospital; Jerusalem, 91120Search for more papers by this author, and Amos Panet, PhDHadassah University Hospital; Jerusalem, 91120Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-120-10-199405150-00019 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Recently, mutations in the gene for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that scavenges the toxic free-radical superoxide anion (O2-), were reported in patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [1]. This defective dismutase could be responsible for progressive motor neuron damage in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although the familial version of the disorder has several unique features distinguishing it from the sporadic disease, the clinical and pathologic similarities [2] suggest a common pathogenesis. If free radicals play a role in the sporadic disease, one would expect a higher disease incidence in populations exposed to environmental factors, such as solar ...References1. Rosen DR, Siddique T, Patterson D, Figlewicz DA, Sapp P, Hentati A, et al. Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene are associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nature. 1993; 362:59-62. Google Scholar2. Tandan R, Bradley WG. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Part 1. Clinical features, pathology and ethical issues in management. Ann Neurol. 1985; 18:271-80. Google Scholar3. Sundaram C, Koster W, Schallreuter KU. The effect of UV radiation and sun blockers on free radical defence in human and guinea pig epidermis. Arch Dermatol Res. 1990; 282:526-31. Google Scholar4. Gubbay S, Kahana E, Zilber N, Cooper G, Pintov S, Leibowitz Y. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A study of its presentation and prognosis. J Neurol. 1985; 232:295-300. Google Scholar5. Statistical Abstract of Israel. Central Bureau of Statistics. No. 43; 1992. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Israel Steiner, MD; Bettina Birmanns, MD; Amos Panet, PhDAffiliations: Hadassah University Hospital; Jerusalem, 91120 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byNatural History of Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisA clinical epidemiological study of 251 cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the south of BrazilSerum Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity is reduced in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patientsCLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS 15 May 1994Volume 120, Issue 10Page: 893KeywordsAge distributionAmyotrophic lateral sclerosisAnionsEnzymesMotor neuronsMutationPathogenesisPopulation statistics ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 May 1994 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1994 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...