Arlington Scientific and Brain Chemistry Labs plan to develop a rapid test for cyanobacterial toxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), which has been shown to be a risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Only 8% to 10% of ALS cases are genetic, according to Brain Chemistry Labs. In 90% to 92% of cases, environmental risk factors may play a role. BMAA is often present in cyanobacterial blooms in water and is suspected to be the top environmental factor contributing to ALS, the company said.
