Sun Exposure and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

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 ...