Cassava Cyanide Diseases & Neurolathyrism Network

Fifty year ago, a paper in Biochemistry by Professor S.L.N. Rao described the chemical structure of a new amino acid occurring abundantly in the seeds of Lathyrus sativus and believed to be the cause of the human crippling disease neurolathyrism. Since then this non-protein amino acid β-N-oxalyl-l-α, βdiaminopropionic acid or β-ODAP, has been the focus of numerous studies in a great variety of disciplines including toxicology, neurology, biochemistry, agronomy and plant biotechnology. On page 2, the author of that memorable paper explains his present views on this compound. Efforts by the research community to prevent neurolathyrism and cassava cyanide diseases have helped in the understanding and prevention of these crippling diseases of the poor, but as yet there is more reason to increase the efforts than to retire. In Kinshasa, D.R. Congo, a “Global Advocacy Workshop” on brain development, neurology and child development was organized by IBRO – ARC on 4-5 September. The workshop included a symposium on konzo where the present situation in D.R. Congo and elsewhere was highlighted. A report on this workshop is included in this issue. On the neurolathyrism front, a Danish church sponsored workshop was organized in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia on 4-6 October. A detailed report on this event can be found online: http://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-grasspea-blessing-and-curse. In this report a preliminary survey is mentioned that identified some 800 affected individuals. Five year after the Ghent workshop ‘Konzo and neurolathyrism: similarities and dissimilarities between those crippling neurodegenerative diseases of the poor’, an evaluation of progress and developments and a confrontation of ideas would be opportune. Attempts for obtaining financing for a September 2015 workshop in Ghent are being made and suggestions are welcome. Progress and planning will be communicated when available. Wishing you all a peaceful and successful year 2015. Fernand Lambein CCDNN Coordination: Prof Fernand LAMBEIN, Coordinator Ghent University, Institute for plant Biotechnology Outreach (IPBO) Technologiepark 3, B-9052 Gent-Zwijnaarde, Belgium Phone: +32 484 417 5005 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]