Is Heavy Metal Pollution in River Ganga: A Risk Factor for Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis?

Abstract

The association between heavy metals and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients was explored with respect to the longest and pious Indian river Ganga. This study is designed to investigate the severity and heavy metal contamination in the blood of Gangetic (within 25 km from river Ganga) and non-Gangetic (> 25 km from river Ganga) ALS patients. Out of 65 recruited ALS patients, 36 from the Gangetic belt and 29 from the Non-Gangetic belt. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis functional rating Scale (ALSFRS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) were calculated to study disease progression. Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn) and Cadmium (Cd) concentrations were estimated in the whole blood of 23 subjects from Gangetic belt, 19 subjects from Non Gangetic belt and 23 heathy controls via Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique. A significantly lower FAB score was obtained in Gangetic patients. Pb concentration was significantly higher in both the diseased group than control and Cd concentration was detected significantly higher in Gangetic ALS patients than non Gangetic patients and control group.