The number of Australians diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) has increased over the past 40 years.But only 10 per cent of cases have a clear genetic cause.Scientists have been investigating the possible environmental triggers for sporadic MND.Their focus? Pesticides, metals and a neurotoxin produced by blue-green algae.Guest/sTracy EllisProfessor Dominic Rowe, neurologist at Macquarie UniversityProfessor Ken Rodgers, neurotoxicology at the University of Technology SydneyReferencesSynthesis of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom knowledge and analysis of recent trends in the Murray-Darling BasinPrevalence of β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) and its isomers in freshwater cyanobacteria isolated from eastern AustraliaOccupational Exposures to Pesticides and Other Chemicals: a New Zealand MotorNeurone Disease Case-Control StudyExposure to environmental toxins and the risk of sporadic motor neuron disease: an expanded Australian case-control studyMacquarie University Motor Neuron Disease Research CentreAustralian-first MND map awarded $1m government grant
The number of Australians diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) has increased over the past 40 years. But only 10 per cent of cases have a clear genetic cause. Scientists have been investigating the possible environmental triggers for sporadic MND. Their focus? Pesticides, metals and a neurotoxin produced by blue-green algae. Guest/s Tracy Ellis Professor Dominic Rowe, neurologist at Macquarie University Professor Ken Rodgers, neurotoxicology at the University of Technology Sydney References Synthesis of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom knowledge and analysis of recent trends in the Murray-Darling Basin Prevalence of β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) and its isomers in freshwater cyanobacteria isolated from eastern Australia Occupational Exposures to Pesticides and Other Chemicals: a New Zealand Motor Neurone Disease Case-Control Study Exposure to environmental toxins and the risk of sporadic motor neuron disease: an expanded Australian case-control study Macquarie University Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre Australian-first MND map awarded $1m government grant