Skip to main content
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1978 May;41(5):389–393. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.41.5.389

Increased plasma levels of lead in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis compared with control subjects as determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

S Conradi, L O Ronnevi, O Vesterberg
PMCID: PMC493043  PMID: 77896

Abstract

The levels of lead in plasma were determined in 16 cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 18 control subjects, using flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean values were 0.52+/-0.22 microgram/100ml (ALS) and 0.37+/-0.13 microgram/100ml (controls), the difference is statistically significant (5% level). The values in both groups are lower than reported earlier for normal subjects. The findings are discussed against the background of the possible pathogenetic significance of retrograde axoplasmic flow in ALS.

Full text

PDF
389

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. BUTT E. M., NUSBAUM R. E., GILMOUR T. C., DIDIO S. L., SISTER MARIANO TRACE METAL LEVELS IN HUMAN SERUM AND BLOOD. Arch Environ Health. 1964 Jan;8:52–57. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1964.10663631. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Broadwell R. D., Brightman M. W. Entry of peroxidase into neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems from extracerebral and cerebral blood. J Comp Neurol. 1976 Apr 1;166(3):257–283. doi: 10.1002/cne.901660302. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. CLARKSON T. W., KENCH J. E. Uptake of lead by human erythrocytes in vitro. Biochem J. 1958 Jul;69(3):432–439. doi: 10.1042/bj0690432. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Campbell A. M., Williams E. R., Barltrop D. Motor neurone disease and exposure to lead. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1970 Dec;33(6):877–885. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.33.6.877. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Conradi S., Ronnevi L. O., Vesterberg O. Abnormal tissue distribution of lead in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci. 1976 Oct;29(2-4):259–265. doi: 10.1016/0022-510x(76)90175-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Cullheim S., Kellerth J. O., Conradi S. Evidence for direct synaptic interconnections between cat spinal alpha-motoneurons via the recurrent axon collaterals: a morphological study using intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase. Brain Res. 1977 Aug 19;132(1):1–10. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(77)90702-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Currier R. D., Haerer A. F. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and metallic toxins. Arch Environ Health. 1968 Nov;17(5):712–719. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1968.10665310. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. EDDS M. V., Jr Collateral nerve regeneration. Q Rev Biol. 1953 Sep;28(3):260–276. doi: 10.1086/399699. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Einarsson O., Lindstedt G. A non-extraction atomic absorption method for the determination of lead in blood. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1969 Jun;23(4):367–371. doi: 10.3109/00365516909081703. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Felmus M. T., Patten B. M., Swanke L. Antecedent events in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurology. 1976 Feb;26(2):167–172. doi: 10.1212/wnl.26.2.167. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Griffin R. M., Matson W. R. The assessment of individual variability to trace metal insult: low-molecular-weight metal complexing agents as indicators of trace metal insult. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1972 Jun;33(6):373–377. doi: 10.1080/0002889728506667. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Heuser J. E., Reese T. S. Evidence for recycling of synaptic vesicle membrane during transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction. J Cell Biol. 1973 May;57(2):315–344. doi: 10.1083/jcb.57.2.315. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. McRoberts W. Alteration in the fractionated blood lead concentrations in the development of inorganic lead poisoning, and the concept of the role of "lead integration" in lead absorption. J Soc Occup Med. 1973 Jan;23(1):3–18. doi: 10.1093/occmed/23.1.3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Rosen J. F., Trinidad E. E. Significance of plasma lead levels in normal and lead-intoxicated children. Environ Health Perspect. 1974 May;7:139–144. doi: 10.1289/ehp.747139. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Witschi H. Desorption of some toxic heavy metals from human erythrocytes in vitro. Acta Haematol. 1965 Aug;34(2):101–115. doi: 10.1159/000209435. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Zieglgänsberger W., Reiter C. Interneuronal movement of procion yellow in cat spinal neurones. Exp Brain Res. 1974;20(5):527–530. doi: 10.1007/BF00238018. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES