MONDAY, April 21, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Genetic abnormalities have been discovered in the chromosomes of several people with sporadic, or non-hereditary, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
So says a study in the April 22 issue of Neurology.
The German study examined the chromosomes of 85 people with sporadic ALS and found five of them (5.9 percent) had chromosomal abnormalities. The normal rate for such abnormalities in healthy people is about .05 per cent.
The finding suggests these chromosomal abnormalities are a previously unknown risk factor for sporadic ALS. The researchers don't know how these abnormalities contribute to ALS, but suggest they may cause a disruption or alteration of certain genes.
It's also possible that an unknown underlying mechanism of ALS could cause the chromosomal abnormalities.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, degenerative disease of the nervous system. About 5 percent to 10 percent of ALS cases are hereditary. Scientists have identified several genes linked to hereditary ALS.
Researchers have identified several genetic risk factors for sporadic, or non-hereditary, ALS, but much more needs to be learned about the role genetics plays in sporadic ALS.
More information
Here's where you can learn more about ALS.
