REPEAT STUDY OF ANTECEDENT EVENTS IN MOTOR NEURON DISEASE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (2) , 102-107
Abstract
Case control methods were applied to the investigation of motor neuron disease (MND) with surprising results: MND patients have greater exposure to Pb and Hg and drink more milk than either diseases or normal age- and sex-matched control patients. Because of the implications of these findings as possible environmental influences in the pathogenesis of MND, the study was repeated using a larger population and a more standardized interview technique. This time the MND patients reported more exposure to Hg or to the combination Hg or Pb than either control group. As adults and at age 18, more MND patients drank in excess of 3 glasses of milk daily. Exposure to Pb or Hg and excessive milk ingestion are possible antecedent events predisposing to MND.