西ニューギニアの神経変性疾患

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and parkinsonism-dementia occurred in the highest incidence among primitive Auyu and Jakai people on the southern coastal plain of West New Guinea (Indonesia, Papua) (Gajdusek DC, 1982). After the survey of Gajdusek DC the study is rare about neurodegenerative diseases in Papua. To clarify the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases in people in West New-Guinea we had the fieldwork survey in 2001-02 and 2006-07. In the survey of people in village of Kepi, Bade and others (population of9700) in 2001-02, 5 patients with parkinsonism and 11 patients with ALS and related diseases and 6 cerebro-vascular diseases were found. In the survey of people in village of Bade and others (population of 8100) in 2007, 6 patients with parkinsonism and 6 patients with ALS and related diseases and 10 cerebro-vascular diseases were found. West New Guinea is the high prevalence area of neurodegenerative diseases still now and cerebro-vascular diseases are increasing. Following-up study should be carried out further.