Serum Trace Elements Linked to Disease Progression in ALS

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with significant mortality, causing approximately 2.5 deaths per 100,000 people annually. Existing studies highlight the potential role of trace elements in neurodegeneration, but substantial knowledge gaps persist regarding their specific impacts on disease progression in sporadic ALS.

Method: This study utilized a retrospective cohort design, analyzing serum samples from 200 sporadic ALS patients, diagnosed according to El Escorial criteria. Participants underwent assessment of 12 trace elements, with survival analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for confounding variables including age, gender, and disease duration.

Result: Increased serum levels of selenium and zinc were associated with slower disease progression, indicated by a hazard ratio of 0.75 (95% CI 0.60-0.93, P=0.01) for selenium and 0.70 (95% CI 0.55-0.89, P=0.003) for zinc. Notably, lower levels of lead corresponded to improved survival rates, with a hazard ratio of 1.25 (95% CI 1.10-1.45, P=0.002).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that serum trace elements, specifically selenium and zinc, may play a protective role in ALS disease progression and survival, indicating a need for further prospective studies to clarify their potential as therapeutic targets. Limitations include the retrospective nature and potential for unmeasured confounders.

Original citation address: https://www.besjournal.com/en/article/doi/10.3967/bes2025.094