Researchers have identified a new, early biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on the teeth of children. Patients who were diagnosed with ALS in adulthood showed signs of dysregulation uptake of a mixture of essential elements, including zinc, copper, lead, and tin, on their teeth. The study is the first to show clear signatures at birth and within the first decade of life for ALS.
Interferon betas, a class of drugs commonly prescribed to those with multiple sclerosis reduces the binding of zinc, C-peptide and albumin to red blood cells.