Abnormal tissue distribution of lead in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The lead content of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was found to be significantly elevated in 12 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, when compared to 28 control subjects having non-degenerative neurological disorders. The difference could not be explained as being merely secondary to blood-CSF barrier damage. A hypothetical model of the pathogenesis of the disease is advanced and the results are discussed in relation to this model.