Three soccer playing friends with simultaneous amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotroph Lateral Scler. 2007 Jun;8(3):177-9. doi: 10.1080/17482960701195220.

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease of largely unknown cause, predominantly affecting upper and lower motor neurons. A recent study in Italy suggested an increased incidence of ALS among professional Italian soccer players. We report a cluster of three amateur league soccer players who were friends from the same part of southern England, and developed ALS simultaneously. This might suggest that keen amateur soccer players are also at risk.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / drug therapy
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / epidemiology*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Riluzole / therapeutic use
  • Soccer* / injuries

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Riluzole