posted
Lou Gehrig's Disease Linked to Algae? Featured Videos Lou Gehrig's Disease Linked to Algae?
Researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center have been looking into Lou Gehrig's disease and a potential link to the illness nearby. Nine people living near Mascoma Lake in Enfield, N.H., have been diagnosed with the illness in the past 20 years. But more research is needed to know whether a disease cluster really exists.
Roger Barnes grew up in Enfield spending his summers on Mascoma Lake. For two decades it's been a special place for him.
"You know it's got the mountains, Shaker Mountain on the western side, plenty of places to hike. Especially with the lake there is plenty of fishing," Barnes said.
But what else may be in the water besides fish has caught the attention of researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center who are mapping out clusters of ALS-- or Lou Gehrig's disease-- a disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
"In mapping out the patients we noticed that there appeared to be a fairly high density of ALS patients around water bodies," explained Dr. Elijah Stommel, a neurologist.
Stommel says certain algae blooms produce a neurotoxin that may trigger the disease. The blue-green algae can be fatal to animals and should be avoided.
"If you see an active bloom in the water, which is like a green scum of the surface of the water or you hear of one, swimming in the water is probably not a good idea," Stommel advised.
According to Enfield's Health Inspector, no blue-green algae blooms have been spotted on Mascoma Lake this year.
Statistics show that the prevalence of ALS here is about 25 times greater than national norms. However, according to Dr. Stommel, there is no direct link between the disease and the lake, and there is no cause for public alarm.
"We certainly were not looking to scare anyone who lives near water and there is probably some necessity to have a genetic predisposition," Stommel said.
Back at the Barnes summer home, this native Granite Stater is worried more about milfoil in the water than anything else.
"I don't think people should panic. I think more information is obviously needed," Barnes said.
Neurologists agree even with the summer swimming season right around the corner.
posted
Hi, I feel after much research Parkinson`s, along with FM(think is worst co-infection,ME/Cfids/+++ many co-infections, or what ever not co-infection but take entity of their. No diff than cancer has way over 100 names. I am in Late stage with treated too late unfortunately recent picc (so expense). In hopes to halt it some put road block up so to speak. Was not enough med. to really try a reversal of my Lyme.Have NO doubt all of us (If able). After 20+yrs.Very ill went from 1 day,good to 7daysbad.
Not going to get cure over night doc say admitted also & that I knew more about Lyme than he doe`s. So need to get more antibiotic`s on ID doc, just came on my HMO, Finally doc would do some treatment. . Mine leaning toward ALS upset me so I found my paperwork (his blood work no neg). Yrs, back Kaiser filtered through all 100`s of paper work they sent. Found paperwork with all positive across board,elisa,bart,babs,Plus anti bodies. Finally someone took me seriously. Lymie Tony came & there is a diff. how woman get treated.
Posts: 746 | From Clearwater/fl/Pinellas | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/