Heavy metals and trace elements in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The first descriptions of the clinical picture of ALS arose from knowledge of the toxic effects of lead on the nervous system. The place of lead in the etiology of ALS remains controversial over 150 years later. More recently, trace element studies have provided a novel approach in our attempts to demonstrate a fundamental metabolic abnormality in motor neurons. The evidence that has been presented in this general area is reviewed in this article.