Motor Neuron Disease (ALS) Cluster Discovered In Italian Professional Football (Soccer) Players

[hatrack]

In a case that could have come straight from the pages of a medical thriller, Italy is investigating a mysterious epidemic among former professional footballers, dozens of whom have been killed by a disease that paralyses its victims.

The latest to be stricken is Stefano Borgonovo, a 44-year-old former striker for AC Milan. His announcement that he was suffering from motor neurone disease (MND) was made from a wheelchair with a computer-generated voice and has chilled a nation of football fans who are used to considering players as idols rather than martyrs.

A climate of fear and suspicion hangs over the stadiums. According to one theory, the incurable disease might be linked to pesticides used on football pitches. Others suggest it could be a result of doping or physical injuries from tackles or repeatedly heading the ball.

“The truth is, we just don’t know,” said Adriano Chio, a neurologist and Italy’s foremost expert on the condition, which is known in America as Lou Gehrig’s disease after an American baseball player who died of it in 1941.

EDIT

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article5114400.ece

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Hmmm,

I initially would look to organo-phosphate pesticides, precursors to nerve agents.

[hlthe2b]

2. There are other high risk groups equally or more exposed...

to organophosphates and other pesticides that should be looked at systematically... These would include, of course workers in the production process, field applicators (who may well include so many low paid workers, including temporary and illegal migrants that these studies have not shown consistent findings)and especially specific cohort of users, during a time when glove and other barrier precautions were not consistently implemented. THis latter should include a cohort of veterinary workers and groomers, especially back in the late 70s to 80s.

Unfortunately without defining a clear exposure registry that can be retrospectively studied and prospectively followed, these answers remain elusive. And the studies required are so costly, but so important.

[panch0d0g]

3. A possible connection between statin drugs and ALS is being looked at

I don't know if that would have any bearing on Italian football players, but if they were taking some supplements...

http://www.alsforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3047

google "statin" and "ALS" and you'll find a lot of discussion.

[Happyhippychick]

4. My father died from this horrible disease. I pray they will find a cause and a cure.