Methods for screening for neurological disorders are disclosed.
Specifically, methods are disclosed for screening for neurological
disorders in a subject by analyzing a tissue sample obtained from the
subject for the presence of elevated levels of neurotoxic amino acids or
neurotoxic derivatives thereof associated with neurological disorders. In
particular, methods are disclosed for diagnosing a neurological disorder
in a subject, or predicting the likelihood of developing a neurological
disorder in a subject, by determining the levels of
.beta.-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in a tissue sample obtained from
the subject. Methods for screening for environmental factors associated
with neurological disorders are disclosed. Methods for inhibiting,
treating or preventing neurological disorders are disclosed.