High aluminum deposition in the central nervous system of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from the Kii Peninsula, Japan: two case reports

Abstract

We report two cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in which metal analysis revealed markedly higher aluminum concentration in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as higher calcium and lower magnesium concentration and higher Ca/Mg ratios compared with controls. Case 1 was a 55-year-old housewife and total duration of illness was 2 years and 2 mon from onset of clinical symptom. Case 2 was a 80-year-old woman and total duration of illness was 10 mon. Results showed that neither were exposed to toxic environments nor any neurologic disease in the past history. Postmortem examination disclosed motor neuron death and degeneration of pyramidal tracts. The significance of metal metabolism in pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is discussed.