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Laboratory of central Nervous System Studies, National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, National lnstitutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
The high incidence rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and parkinsonism-dementia (PD) occurring among the Chamorros of Guam have declined to rates only slightly higher than those observed in the continental United States. This decline has occurred principally among males, especially those born after 1920 and living in areas where calcium and magnesium levels are low in soil and water. The male-to-female ratio among affected patients now approaches unity, compared with ratios of 2 to 1 for ALS and 3 to 1 for PD three decades ago. These changes are consistent with the hypothesis that the previously high incidence resulted from defects in mineral metabolism and secondary hyperparathyroidism, provoked by nutritional deficiencies of calcium and magnesium, with resultant deposition of calcium and aluminum in neurons.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Garruto, Building 36, Room 5B-25, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20205.
Accepted for publication May 7, 1984.
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