ALS-linked neurotoxin detected in marine ecosystem

摘要

Previous studies have linked the high incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on the tropical island of Guam to the resident's consumption of terrestrial plants and animals that contain elevated levels of 3-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by cyanobacteria. Sara Jonasson et al. (pp. 9252-9257) demonstrate that the globally widespread cyanbbacteria may release BMAA from blooms in temperate ma-rine ecosystems, and that the neurotoxin can accumulate in certain fishes and mollusks. In a 2-year study, the researchers collected samples of algae and fish from the Baltic Sea and from bottom-dwelling mussels and oysters in the west coast of Sweden that had been cultivated for human consumption.