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Motor neuron disease

Are diabetes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis related?

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 11, pages 488–490 (2015)Cite this article

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Studies into the relationship between diabetes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have produced conflicting results. In young patients, diabetes is a consistent risk factor for ALS; in older patients, diabetes protects against ALS in Europe, but increases the risk of ALS in Asia. Environment and genotype might both contribute to this variation.

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Figure 1: Multiple pathways linking diabetes and ALS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Basic Medicine, Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari, 70124, Italy

    Giancarlo Logroscino

  2. Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico, Via San Pio X 4, Tricase (LE), 73039, Italy

    Giancarlo Logroscino

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  1. Giancarlo Logroscino
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Correspondence to Giancarlo Logroscino.

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Logroscino, G. Are diabetes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis related?. Nat Rev Neurol 11, 488–490 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2015.145

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