Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: new hypothesis regarding its etiology and pathogenesis suggests that astrocytes might be the primary target hosting a still unknown external agent.

SICA REP; DE NICOLA A. F.; GONZALEZ DENISELLE, MC; RODRIGUEZ G; GARGIULO MONACHELLI G; MARTINEZ PERALTA L; BETTINI M

ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA

ASSOC ARQUIVOS NEURO- PSIQUIATRIA

Año: 2011 p. 699 - 706

0004-282X

This article briefly describes the already known clinical features and pathogenic mechanisms underlying sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, namely excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, protein damage, inflammation, genetic abnormalities and neuronal death. Thereafter, it puts foward the hypothesis that astrocytes may be the cells which serve as targets for the harmful action of a still unknown environmental agent, while neuronal death may be a secondary event following the initial insult to glial cells. the article also suggests that emergent virus or a misfolded protein might be potential candidates to accomplish this task.