Failure to Detect the Neurotoxin Beta-n-methylamino-l-alanine in Samples Collected during an Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy (AVM) Epornitic in J. Strom Thurmond Lake

Abstract

The neurotoxin -N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), which is produced by wide genera of cyanobacteria, has been proposed as a factor in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC), and Alzheimer s Disease (AD). This compound was previously detected in epiphytic alga and vegetation samples collected from a reservoir with frequent outbreaks of avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM). The purpose of this work was to evaluate samples of aquatic vegetation with the associated cyanobacterium and waterbird tissues collected during an AVM epornitic and from a novel site. Samples were tested for the presence of BMAA using a recently updated analytical technique, high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS. Identifying the putative toxin will be important in determining the etiology of AVM and evaluating risks to fish, wildlife, and humans using these aquatic systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2015
Accession Number
ADA620553

Entities

People

  • James A. Herrin
  • Rebecca S. Haynie
  • Robert R. Bidigare
  • Sandra Banack
  • Stephanie J. Christensen
  • Susan B. Wilde

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alanine
  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Amino Acids
  • Birds
  • Cells
  • Chromatography
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Environmental Health
  • Habitats
  • Liquid Chromatography
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Medical Personnel
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Spectrometry
  • Wildlife

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Aquatic Ecology
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