There is a great resource on our site that has information on this topic. Its entitled “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
A report on the state of research into the cause, cure, and prevention of ALS” and was commissioned by ALS TDF. This tome is a real reference, in particular on the epidemiology of ALS. The authors note that in one study there might be reason to suspect a gradient of incidence in the US from the Southeast to the Northwest (with the incidence in the NE higher). There is less information on occupation – but a recent publication suggests that exposure to lead or pesticides may be associated with increased risk of ALS (see below). Other abstracts have some more information – including the potential that Italian Soccer players are at risk.


Report:
http://www.als.net/docs/ALSReport.pd...20Health%22%22

Pubmed abstracts:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum


John McCarty, PhD
Treatment Investigator,
ALS Therapy Development Foundation

http://www.als.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=903