What causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? [version 1; referees: 3 approved]

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease predominantly affecting upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in progressive paralysis and death from respiratory failure within 2 to 3 years. The peak age of onset is 55 to 70 years, with a male predominance. The causes of amyotrophic...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sarah Martin, Ahmad Al Khleifat, Ammar Al-Chalabi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2017-03-01
Series:F1000Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://f1000research.com/articles/6-371/v1
Description
Summary:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease predominantly affecting upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in progressive paralysis and death from respiratory failure within 2 to 3 years. The peak age of onset is 55 to 70 years, with a male predominance. The causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are only partly known, but they include some environmental risk factors as well as several genes that have been identified as harbouring disease-associated variation. Here we review the nature, epidemiology, genetic associations, and environmental exposures associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
ISSN:2046-1402