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

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria

Roberto E.p. Sica¹  Alejandro F. De Nicola¹  María C. González Deniselle¹  Gabriel Rodriguez¹  Gisella M. Gargiulo Monachelli¹  Liliana Martinez Peralta¹  Mariela Bettini¹ 

关键词: ALS;    SALS;    pathogenesis;    astrocytes;    esclerosis lateral amiotrófica;    esclerosis lateral amiotrófica esporádica;    patogenia;    astrocito;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0004-282X2011000500023

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

This article briefly describes the already known clinical features and pathogenic mechanisms underlying sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, namely excitoxicity, oxidative stress, protein damage, inflammation, genetic abnormalities and neuronal death. Thereafter, it puts forward 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 an emergent virus or a misfolded infectious protein might be potential candidates to accomplish this task.

【 授权许可】

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