=============================================================== == == == ----------- ALS INTEREST GROUP ----------- == == ALS Digest (#56, 24 August 1993) == == == == To subscribe, to unsubscribe, to contribute notes, == == etc. to ALS Digest, please send e-mail to: == == bro@huey.met.fsu.edu (Bob Broedel) == == == == All interested people may "broadcast" messages to == == ALS Digest subscribers by sending to: == == als@huey.met.fsu.edu == == == =============================================================== (1) ===== Building the ALS e-mail network ========== (a)----- Date : Mon, 23 Aug 93 08:44:30 JST >From : Syouji Tsuji Thank you for your mail regarding the ALS INTEREST GROUP. I am a neurologist, and working especially on molecular genetics of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. I would be interested in participating in the ALS INTEREST GROUP. I look forward receiving more information from you. Sincerely yours, Shoji Tsuji, MD, PhD Department of Neurology Brain Research Institute Niigata University 1 Asahimachi, Niigata 951, Japan Phone: 81+25-223-6161 x5180 FAX: 81+25-223-3620 e-mail: e-mail: tsuji@cc.niigata-u.ac.jp (b)----- >From : kisby@ohsu.edu (Glen Kisby,MAC,CROET) Date : Wed Aug 18 17:21:47 PDT 1993 Subject: ALS Interest Group Hello Bob! I received a copy of a letter that was sent to me by Dr. Peter Spencer regarding your interest in contacting individuals with an interest in ALS. I am currently investigating the etiology of a related disorder found in the western Pacific with features of ALS, Parkinsonism, and an Alzheimer-like dementia. We think that human exposure to toxins in cycad (a plant) may be responsible for triggering this disorder. I would be willing to contribute new information about our research on two cycad neurotoxins beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA; an excitotoxin) and cycasin (the glucoside of the potent alkylating carcinogen methylazoxymethanol). We are particularly interested in examining whether environmental genotoxins play a role in sporadic ALS and related neurological disorders. Hope to be hearing from you and others about new findings in this devastating disease! - Glen Kisby Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology (CROET), OHSU, Mail Stop L606, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97201-3098; Phone: (503) 494-2500; FAX: (503) 494-6831 (c)----- >From : aking@mrc-crc.ac.uk (Mr. A.W. King) >Date : Wed, 18 Aug 93 11:14:56 BST >Subject: ALS Interest Group > >Thanks for your letter, I would love to subscribe to the mailing list. >Could you also send me (via email) the back issues (if not I can pull >them from the listserv?) > >Andrew King Bichemistry Dept CXWMS London > Andrew, Though this list is *not* (sorry about that) being run via LISTSERV software, the back issues have been archived at a LISTSERV site. Send e-mail to LISTSERV@mailer.fsu.edu (ignore the "Subject") with the first line of the message INDEX ALS. That will have the list of back issues mailed to you. To get the copies, send e-mail to LISTSERV@mailer.fsu.edu with the message: GET ALS ALSD01 <-- to get issue 1 (for example) Thanks for joining the ALS list. Sincerely, Bob Broedel (2) ===== SOD1 ========== Washington Post 08/23 Neurology: Enzyme Link in Lou Gehrig's Disease By David Brown People with Lou Gehrig's disease lack sufficient amounts of a detoxification enzyme to protect their nerve cells as they grow older. That at least is a theory put forward by researchers at Northwestern University who are zeroing in on what causes the slow paralysis brought on by the disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Earlier this year, the researchers, and others, traced some cases of Lou Gehrig's disease to a defect in the gene for superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that scavenges highly destructive chemicals known as "free radicals." In last week's Science, they reported that people with the inherited form of the disease have only about 40 percent of the normal amount of SOD activity in their cells. This is apparently sufficient to protect most cells from free radical damage, but not the large motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord that drive muscles. As a person ages and there is a normal die-off of some motor neurons, those that remain must sprout new nerve endings to maintain their correct connections. That growth produces free radicals, which the cells may not be able to handle because of the limited quantities of enzyme. (3) ===== Funding Source ========== Date : Sun, 22 Aug 1993 21:48:45 -0400 >From : Gopher Anonymous User Subject: Funding Programs: R/RGK_Foundation : RGK FOUNDATION RESEARCH GR RGK FOUNDATION RESEARCH GRANTS (KEYWORDS) Biological Sciences; Clinical Medicine, General; Community/Outreach Programs; Dermatology; Skin Diseases; Neurological Disorders; Neuromuscular Disorders; (ANNOTATION) The foundation provides support for medical and educational research; research is supported on connective tissue disease, particularly scleroderma, and on ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). The foundation sponsors studies in several areas of national and international concern including health, corporate governance, energy, and economic analysis. Workshops and conferences examining the role of business in American society are also supported. Applications are accepted at any time. Grants are given to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. Financial aid for students is given through universities or other qualified agents. The foundation requires requests from universities to be transmitted by the appropriate office. The foundation generally does not award grants directly to individuals nor are they awarded for deficit financing or ongoing operating expenses, facilities and equipment, or organizations limited by race or religion. (SUPPORT TYPES) Research; Conferences (CONTACT) Ronya Kozmetsky, President, (512) 474-9298 (STREET) 2815 San Gabriel (CITY/STATE) Austin, TX (ZIPCODE) 78705 ====================================================================== == end of als 56 ==