Environmental Epidemiology and Health Studies Program
About Health Studies
The Environmental Epidemiology - Health Studies program conducts special
health surveillance and investigations of non-communicable disease clusters,
and epidemiological studies of non-communicable disease (Chapter 161,
Health and Safety Code). This includes surveillance and investigations
of populations exposed and potentially exposed to toxic substances and
harmful physical agencts. Currently the program is investigating Multiple
Sclerosis (MS) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in Texas.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects many Americans.
MS is a disease of the central nervous system and may produce a wide range
of symptoms. Symptoms may be mild, such as unusual fatigue, to severe and
crippling, such as blindness and paralysis. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an
autoimmune disease affecting the nervous system. Through mechanisms that
are still not well understood, the immune system attacks nerve fibers in
an autoimmune response, causing scarring on nerve cells. The result is that
the transmission of nerve signals is disrupted. This disruption of nerve
signals leads to the symptoms of MS. Because there are many symptoms that
are a result of MS, and not all symptoms are present in all MS patients,
the diagnosis of MS can be difficult.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease,
is a progressive and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disease that causes
nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to degenerate. The progressive
degeneration of motor neurons causes voluntary muscles to weaken and become
immobile. Because of the progressive degeneration of the nerves, patients
in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed. However,
ALS leaves the senses unimpaired and the intellect is often unaffected.
In the U.S. approximately 5,600 people are diagnosed with ALS each year.
Below are links to the MS studies, past and present, which have been (or
will be) conducted by the Environmental and Injury Epidemiology and Toxicology
Branch.
Studies
|
