In a French Alpine village with only a few hundred residents, 16 people were diagnosed with ALS.
This is an unusually high number for such a small area, reports Göteborgs-Posten.
ALS is a disease that gradually paralyzes the body’s muscles and often leads to death within a few years.
Cause still unknown
Researchers do not yet know exactly why ALS develops. In around 90 percent of cases, there is no clear explanation.
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The disease is believed to result from a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences.
For this reason, scientists are also examining whether certain locations or habits may increase the risk.
A toxic mushroom draws attention
A study published in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences in 2021 shows that several of those affected in the village had eaten the false morel mushroom.
The mushroom is toxic and banned in France, but in some parts of the world, such as Sweden, it may be sold if properly prepared.
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Nevertheless, authorities advise against consuming it due to health risks.
Researchers believe there may be a link between the mushroom and the disease, but they cannot prove it.
It is likely that several factors interact and that no single cause alone can explain why the disease develops.
Sources: Göteborgs-Posten and Journal of the Neurological Sciences.
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