Pesticides applied to crops and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk in the U.S.

For Public Health

Key points

Investigate the ALS risk associated with pesticides used on crops in the US

Affiliates

Angeline Andrew [1], Jie Zhou [2], Jiang Gui [2], Antoinette Harrison [3], Xun Shi [2], Meifang Li [2], Bart Guetti [1], Ramaa Nathan [4], Maeve Tischbein [1], Erik P. Pioro [6], Elijah Stommel [1], Walter Bradley [5]

  1. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
  2. Dartmouth College, Hanover
  3. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.
  4. Eversana, Wayne
  5. Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami
  6. Center for ALS and Related Disorders, Cleveland Clinic

Journal

Neurotoxicology

Summary

This study investigates the potential of neurotoxic pesticides in the etiology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Geospatial estimations of crop-applied pesticides on the county level were estimated and assessed for positive associations to ALS cases. Findings supported a positive association between neurotoxic pesticide exposures and sporadic ALS, and call for focused studies to assess causality.

Link to paper

Find the paper here!

Print
Content Source
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
About This Page
Published: November 12, 2024
Updated: November 11, 2024

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: September 10, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.