Abstract Details

Title Spatial Clustering of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Virginia

Topic General Neurology

Presentation(s) P4 - Poster Session 4 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 6-002

Objective Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the motor neurons, has an annual incidence of 1-2.6 cases per 100,000 with prevalence estimates of 6 per 100,000. Given the apparent increase in new ALS cases in Virginia, we conducted analysis of the spatial distribution of ALS cases leveraging Virginia ALS Association (ALSA) Registry data over a 21-year period.

Background There are very few epidemiologic studies that have investigated the association between geographic region and ALS. A large-scale epidemiologic study evaluating environmental risk factors in the development of ALS was conducted in the Western Pacific, with smaller studies in Southern France and Denmark. In the United States, most epidemiologic studies reported have described small communities in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New England. To date, no large-scale epidemiologic study investigating ALS clusters utilizing the ALSA Registry has been completed.

Design/Methods Using residential addresses at time of diagnosis, we analyzed the spatial distribution of all ALS incident cases diagnosed 2000-2021 from the ALSA registry (n=1269). We used a Bayesian spatial hierarchical model of the relative risk (RR) of ALS at the census tract level and identified significant risk areas using exceedance probabilities.

Results There were several clusters of census tracts with significantly increased risk of ALS identified in Virginia including in Botetourt County (RR range 2.53-5.72), Gloucester County (RR range 3.74-4.15), Norfolk (RR 3.57), and others with lower RRs.

Conclusions Our study shows several significant ALS spatial clusters in Virginia and is the first of its kind to utilize ALSA registry data. These findings will guide further study of potential environmental triggers in the development of ALS including neurotoxins, heavy metals, and organic solvents.

Authors/Disclosures
Kelly G. Gwathmey, MD (VCU Neuroscience, Orthopedic, and Wellness) PRESENTER	Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Argenx. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Argenx. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Strongbridge. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for UCB. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Amgen. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for UCB. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Cabaletta. Dr. Gwathmey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Alexion Pharmaceuticals.
	No disclosure on file
Ryan Naum, DO	Dr. Naum has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file

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