Motor neuron disease on Guam: temporal occurrence, 1941-85

Abstract

Using a case registry, we investigated the temporal occurrence of motor neuron disease (MND) on Guam. MND with onset during 1941-85 was documented in 434 Chamorros and 9 non-Chamorro migrants who had lived on Guam before onset. Increased median age at onset and decreased age-adjusted incidence rates (since the early 1960s) were observed for Chamorros of both sexes. Our evidence about MND on Guam is consistent with: 1) The latent period duration has varied from years to decades; 2) With time, the exposure period or latent period, or both, have lengthened; 3) The high risk of acquiring the condition has been reduced since, at least, the early 1950s, and the most recent years of meaningful risk were the early to middle 1960s; 4) The critical age for acquiring the condition is in adolescence and adulthood; 5) Change of environment from Guam to overseas during childhood resulted in decreased risk of acquiring the condition.