Abstract
Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War have been reported to have an increased incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared to personnel who were not deployed. An excess of ALS cases was diagnosed in Gulf War veterans younger than 45 years of age. Increased ALS among Gulf War veterans appears to be an outbreak time-limited to the decade following the Gulf War. Seeking to identify biologically plausible environmental exposures, we have focused on inhalation of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins carried by dust in the Gulf region, particularly Qatar. Cyanobacterial crusts and mats are widespread in the deserts of Qatar, occupying up to 56% of the available area in some microhabitats. These cyanobacterial crusts, which help bind the desert sands, are dormant throughout most of the year, but during brief spring rains actively photosynthesize. When disturbed by vehicular traffic or other military activities, the dried crusts and mats can produce significant dust. Using HPLC/FD, an amino acid analyzer, UPLC/MS, and triple quadrupole LC/MS/MS we find that the dried crusts and mats contain neurotoxic cyanobacterial toxins, including β-N-methylamino-L- alanine (BMAA) and 2,4 diaminobutyric acid (DAB). If dust containing cyanobacteria is inhaled, significant exposure to BMAA and other cyanotoxins may occur. We suggest that inhalation of BMAA, DAB, and other aerosolized cyanotoxins may constitute a significant risk factor for the development of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 109-117 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | SUPPL. 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1 2009 |
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Keywords
- Neurodegenerative diseases
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neurology
Cite this
Cyanobacteria and BMAA exposure from desert dust : A possible link to sporadic ALS among Gulf War veterans. / Cox, Paul Alan; Richer, Renee; Metcalf, James S.; Banack, Sandra Anne; Codd, Geoffrey A.; Bradley, Walter G.
In: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Vol. 10, No. SUPPL. 2, 01.12.2009, p. 109-117.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Cyanobacteria and BMAA exposure from desert dust
T2 - A possible link to sporadic ALS among Gulf War veterans
AU - Cox, Paul Alan
AU - Richer, Renee
AU - Metcalf, James S.
AU - Banack, Sandra Anne
AU - Codd, Geoffrey A.
AU - Bradley, Walter G
PY - 2009/12/1
Y1 - 2009/12/1
N2 - Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War have been reported to have an increased incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared to personnel who were not deployed. An excess of ALS cases was diagnosed in Gulf War veterans younger than 45 years of age. Increased ALS among Gulf War veterans appears to be an outbreak time-limited to the decade following the Gulf War. Seeking to identify biologically plausible environmental exposures, we have focused on inhalation of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins carried by dust in the Gulf region, particularly Qatar. Cyanobacterial crusts and mats are widespread in the deserts of Qatar, occupying up to 56% of the available area in some microhabitats. These cyanobacterial crusts, which help bind the desert sands, are dormant throughout most of the year, but during brief spring rains actively photosynthesize. When disturbed by vehicular traffic or other military activities, the dried crusts and mats can produce significant dust. Using HPLC/FD, an amino acid analyzer, UPLC/MS, and triple quadrupole LC/MS/MS we find that the dried crusts and mats contain neurotoxic cyanobacterial toxins, including β-N-methylamino-L- alanine (BMAA) and 2,4 diaminobutyric acid (DAB). If dust containing cyanobacteria is inhaled, significant exposure to BMAA and other cyanotoxins may occur. We suggest that inhalation of BMAA, DAB, and other aerosolized cyanotoxins may constitute a significant risk factor for the development of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
AB - Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War have been reported to have an increased incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared to personnel who were not deployed. An excess of ALS cases was diagnosed in Gulf War veterans younger than 45 years of age. Increased ALS among Gulf War veterans appears to be an outbreak time-limited to the decade following the Gulf War. Seeking to identify biologically plausible environmental exposures, we have focused on inhalation of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins carried by dust in the Gulf region, particularly Qatar. Cyanobacterial crusts and mats are widespread in the deserts of Qatar, occupying up to 56% of the available area in some microhabitats. These cyanobacterial crusts, which help bind the desert sands, are dormant throughout most of the year, but during brief spring rains actively photosynthesize. When disturbed by vehicular traffic or other military activities, the dried crusts and mats can produce significant dust. Using HPLC/FD, an amino acid analyzer, UPLC/MS, and triple quadrupole LC/MS/MS we find that the dried crusts and mats contain neurotoxic cyanobacterial toxins, including β-N-methylamino-L- alanine (BMAA) and 2,4 diaminobutyric acid (DAB). If dust containing cyanobacteria is inhaled, significant exposure to BMAA and other cyanotoxins may occur. We suggest that inhalation of BMAA, DAB, and other aerosolized cyanotoxins may constitute a significant risk factor for the development of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
KW - Neurodegenerative diseases
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=74549160247&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=74549160247&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3109/17482960903286066
DO - 10.3109/17482960903286066
M3 - Article
C2 - 19929742
AN - SCOPUS:74549160247
VL - 10
SP - 109
EP - 117
JO - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
JF - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
SN - 2167-8421
IS - SUPPL. 2
ER -