Alzheimer’s Disease

• Detection of β-N-methylamino-l-alanine in postmortem olfactory bulbs of Alzheimer's disease patients using UHPLC-MS/MS: An autopsy case-series study.
  Garamszegi, SP, Banack, SA Duque LL, Metcalf JS, Stommel EW, Cox PA, Davis DA. 2023
  Toxicol Rep Jan 6;10:87-96. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.01.002

• A possible blood plasma biomarker for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
  Banack SA, Stark AC, Cox PA. 2022.
  Plos one, 17(4), p.e0267407.

ALS Biomarker

• A microRNA diagnostic biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
  Sandra Anne Banack, Rachael A Dunlop, Paul Mehta, Hiroshi Mitsumoto, Stewart
  P Wood, Moon Han, Paul Alan Cox, Mehta P, Cox PA. 2024.
  Brain Communications, Volume 6, Issue 5, 2024, fcae268.

• L1CAM immunocapture generates a unique extracellular vesicle population with a reproducible miRNA fingerprint.
  Dunlop R, Banack S, Cox P. 2023.
  RNA Biology 20:(1): 140-148.

• miRNA extracted from extracellular vesicles is a robust biomarker of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
  Banack SA, Dunlop RA, Stommel E, Mehta P, Cox PA. 2022.
  Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 442: 120396.

• A comparison of the efficiency of RNA extraction from extracellular vesicles using the Qiagen RNeasy MinElute versus Enzymax LLC RNA Tini Spin columns and qPCR of miRNA. Dunlop RA, Banack SA, Cox PA. 2021.
  Biology Methods and Protocols 6(1):bpab015.

• An miRNA fingerprint using neural-enriched extracellular vesicles from blood plasma: towards a biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease
  Banack SA, Dunlop RA, Cox PA. 2020.
  Open Biology. Jun 24; 10: 200116.

L-serine

• L-Serine Influences Epigenetic Modifications to Improve Cognition and Behaviors in Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Knockout Mice.
  Zhang F, Icyuz M, Tollefsbol T, Cox PA, Banack SA, Sun LY. 2022.
  Biomedicines. Dec 30;11(1):104.

• L-Serine Reduces Spinal Cord Pathology in a Vervet Model of Preclinical ALS/MND Davis DA, Cox PA, Banack SA, Lecusay PD, Garamszegi SP, Hagan MJ, Powell JT, Metcalf JS, Palmour RM, Beierschmitt A, Bradley WG. 2020.
  Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology. Apr 1;79(4):393-406.

• Mechanisms of L-Serine Neuroprotection in vitro Includes ER Proteostasis Regulation
  Dunlop RA, Powell J, Guillemin GJ, Cox PA. 2018.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Jan 1;33(1):123-32.

• L-Serine-Mediated Neuroprotection Includes the Upregulation of the ER Stress Chaperone Protein Disulfide Isomerase (PDI)
  Dunlop RA, Powell JT, Metcalf JS, Guillemin GJ, Cox PA. 2018.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Jan 1;33(1):113-22.

• L-Serine: a Naturally-Occurring Amino Acid with Therapeutic Potential
  Metcalf JS, Dunlop RA, Powell JT, Banack SA, Cox PA. 2017.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Sep 19:1-9.

• Studies of Environmental Risk Factors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and a Phase I Clinical Trial of  L-serine
  Bradley WG, Miller RX, Levine TD, Stommel EW, Cox PA. 2018.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Jan 1;33(1):192-8

• Traditional Food Items in Ogimi, Okinawa: L-Serine Content and the Potential for Neuroprotection
  Cox PA, Metcalf JS. 2017.
  Current Nutrition Reports. Mar 1;6(1):24-31.

• Phase I clinical trial of safety of L-serine for ALS patients
  Levine TD, Miller RG, Bradley WG, Moore DH, Saperstein DS, Flynn LE, Katz JS, Forshew DA, Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Cox PA. 2017.
  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration. Jan 2;18(1-2):107-11.

• The non-protein amino acid BMAA is misincorporated into human proteins in place of L-serine causing protein misfolding and aggregation.
  Dunlop RA, Cox PA, Banack SA, Rodgers KJ. 2013.
  PLoS One. Sep 25;8(9):e75376.

  BMAA

• Alzheimer’s disease signatures in the brain transcriptome of Estuarine Dolphins. Wendy Noke Durdin, Megan K. Stolen, Susanna P. Garamszegi, Sandra Anne Banack, Daniel J. Brzostowicki, Regina T. Vontell, Larry E. Brand, Paul Alan Cox, David A. Davis. Communications Biology, 2025, 8:1400.

• Cyanotoxin Analysis of Air Samples from the Great Salt Lake.
  Metcalf J, Banack S, and Cox PA. 2023. Toxins 2023, 15(11), 659.

• Putative Biosynthesis Mechanism of the Neurotoxin Β-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine in Marine Diatoms Based on Transcriptomics Approach.
  Li A, Yan Y, Qiu J, Yan G, Zhao P, Li M, Ji Y, Wang G, Meng F, Li Y, Metcalf JS, Banack, SA. 2023.
  Journal of Hazardous Materials. Vol 441, 5 January129953.

• Detection of β-N-methylamino-l-alanine in postmortem olfactory bulbs of Alzheimer's disease patients using UHPLC-MS/MS: An autopsy case-series study.
  Garamszegi SP, Banack SA, Duque LL, Metcalf JS, Stommel EW, Cox PA, Davis DA. 2023.
  Toxicol Rep. Jan 6;10:87-96.

• BMAA, Methylmercury, and Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Dolphins: A Natural Model of Toxin Exposure.
  Davis DA, Garamszegi SP, Banack SA, Dooley PD, Coyne TM, McLean DW, Rotstein DS, Mash DC, Cox PA. 2021.
  Toxins;13: 697.

• Toxin analysis of freshwater cyanobacterial and marine harmful algal blooms on the west coast of Florida and implications for estuarine environments.
  Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Wessel RA, Lester M, Pim J, Cassani JR, Cox PA. 2021.
  Neurotoxicity Research. 39: 27-35.

• Is exposure to BMAA a Risk Factor for Neurodegenerative Diseases? A Response to Criticisms of the BMAA Hypothesis.
  Dunlop RA, Banack SA, Bishop SL, Metcalf JS, Murch SJ, Davis DA, Stommel EW, Karlsson O, Brittebo EB, Chatziefthimiou AD, Tan VX, Guillemin GG, Cox PA, Mash DC, Bradley WG. 2021.
  Neurotoxicity Research. 39(1):81.

• L-serine Reduces Spinal Cord Pathology in a Vervet Model of Preclinical ALS/MND.
  Davis DA, Cox PA, Banack, SA, Leucasy PD, Garamszegi SP, Hagan MJ, Powell JT, Metcalf JS, Palmour RM, Beierschmitt A, Bradley WG, Mash DC. 2020.
  Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology. 79(4): 393-406.

• Toxin Analysis of Freshwater Cyanobacterial and Marine Harmful Algal Blooms on the West Coast of Florida and Implications for Estuarine Environments
  Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Wessel RA, Lester M, Pim JG, Cassani JR, Cox PA. 2020.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Jul 18:1-9.

• When tides collide: Harmful cyanobacterial and microalgal blooms in Florida and implications for risk assessment.
  Metcalf JS, Souza N, Banack SA, Cox PA. 2020.
  Harmful Algae News 65: 59-60.

• Cyanotoxin Analysis and Amino Acid Profiles of Cyanobacterial Food Items from Chad
  Metcalf JS, Dunlop RA, Banack SA, Souza NR, Cox PA. 2020.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Jul 11:1-9.

• Biocrust-Produced Cyanotoxins Are Found Vertically in the Desert Soil Profile
  Chatziefthimiou AD, Banack SA, Cox PA. 2020.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Jun 15:1-7.

• Migration and Transformation Behaviors of Neurotoxin BMAA along Food Chains in a Diatom-dominated Marine Ecosystem in China.
  Wang C, Yan C, Qiu J, Liu C, Yan Y, Ji Y, Wang G, Chen H, Li Y, Banack S, Li A. 2020.
  Authorea. June 15.

• Analysis of Neurotoxic Amino Acids from Marine Waters, Microbial Mats, and Seafood Destined for Human Consumption in the Arabian Gulf
  Chatziefthimiou AD, Deitch EJ, Glover WB, Powell JT, Banack SA, Richer RA, Cox PA, Metcalf JS. 2018.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Jan 1;33(1):143-52.

• Analysis of BMAA Enantiomers in Cycads, Cyanobacteria, and Mammals: in vivo Formation and Toxicity of D-BMAA
  Metcalf JS, Lobner D, Banack SA, Cox GA, Nunn PB, Wyatt PB, Cox PA. 2017.
  Amino Acids. Aug 1;49(8):1427-39.

• Creating a Simian Model of Guam ALS/PDC Which Reflects Chamorro Lifetime BMAA Exposures
  Banack SA, Cox PA. 2018.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Jan 1;33(1):24-32.

• BMAA and Neurodegenerative Illness
  Cox PA, Kostrzewa RM, Guillemin GJ. 2018.
  Neurotoxicity Research. Jan 1;33(1):178-83.

• Dietary exposure to an environmental toxin triggers neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid deposits in the brain
  Cox PA, Davis DA, Mash DC, Metcalf JS, Banack SA. 2016.
  Proc. R. Soc. B. Jan 27;283(1823):20152397

• The non-protein amino acid BMAA is misincorporated into human proteins in place of L-serine, causing protein misfolding and aggregation.
  Dunlop RA, Cox PA, Banack SA, Rodgers KJ. 2013.
  PLOS ONE 8(9):e75376.

• Linking β-methylamino-L-alanine exposure to sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Annapolis, MD
  Field NC, Metcalf JS, Caller TA, Banack SA, Cox PA Stommel EW. 2013.
  Toxicon. 70:179-183.

• Is exposure to cyanobacteria an environmental risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases?
  Bradley, WG, Borenstein AR, Nelson LM, Codd GA, Rosen BH, Stommel EW, Cox PA. 2013.
  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration.

• Cyanobacteria Produce N-(2-Aminoethyl)Glycine, a Backbone for Peptide Nucleic Acids Which May Have Been the First Genetic Molecules for Life on Earth
  Banack SA, Metcalf JS, Jiang L, Craighead D, Ilag LL, Cox, PA. 2012.
  PLoS ONE. 7(11):e49043.

• Nitrogen starvation of cyanobacteria results in the production of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine
  Downing S, Banack SA, Metcalf JS, Cox PA, Downing TG. 2011.
  Toxicon. 58:187-194.

• Distinguishing the cyanobacterial neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) from other diamino acids
  Banack SA, Metcalf JS, Spáčil Z, Downing TG, Downing S, Long A, Nunn PB, Cox PA. 2011.
  Toxicon. 57(5):730-738.

• Distinguishing the cyanobacterial neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) from its structural isomer 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (2,4-DAB)
  Banack SA, Downing TG, Spáčil Z, Purdie EL, Metcalf JS, Searle S, Esterhuizen M, Codd GA, Cox PA. 2010.
  Toxicon. 56(6):868-879.

• Conclusion to the Symposium: The seven pillars of the cyanobacteria/BMAA hypothesis
  Cox PA. 2009.
  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 10(Supplement 2):124-126.

• Cyanobacteria and BMAA exposure from desert dust: A possible link to sporadic ALS among Gulf War veterans
  Cox PA, Richer R, Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Codd GA, Bradley WG. 2009.
  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 10(Supplement 2):109-117.

• Consumption of fa cai Nostoc soup: A potential for BMAA exposure from Nostoc cyanobacteria in China? 
  Roney BR, Renhui L, Banack SA, Murch S, Honegger R, Cox PA. 2009.
  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 10(Supplement 2):44-49.

• Beyond Guam: Cyanobacteria, BMAA and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  Bradley WG, Cox PA. 2009.
  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 10(Supplement 2):5-6.

• Competitive exclusion of cyanobacterial species in the Great Salt Lake
  Roney HC, Booth GM, Cox PA. 2009.
  Extremophiles. 13(2):355-361.

• Cyanobacterial neurotoxin BMAA in ALS and Alzheimer's disease
  Pablo J, Banack SA, Cox PA, Johnson TE, Papapetropoulos S, Bradley WG, Buck A, Mash DC. 2009.
  Acta Neurol Scand. 120:216-225.

• Cyanobacteria (Nostoc commune) used as a dietary item in the Peruvian highlands produce the neurotoxic amino acid BMAA
  Johnson HE, King SR, Banack SA, Webster C, Callanaupa WJ, Cox PA. 2008.
  J Ethnopharmacol. 118:159-165.

• Co-occurrence of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, a neurotoxic amino acid with other cyanobacterial toxins in British waterbodies, 1990–2004
  Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Lindsay J, Morrison LF, Cox PA, Codd GA. 2008.
  Environmental Microbiology. 10(3): 702-708.

• Production of the Neurotoxin BMAA by a Marine Cyanobacterium
  Banack SA, Johnson HE, Cheng R, Cox PA. 2005.
  Marine Drugs. 5:180-196.
  Correction in: Marine Drugs. 2010;8(7):2013.

• A nonprotein amino acid and neurodegeneration.
  Cox PA, Banack SA. 2006.
  Science. Nov 24;314(5803):1242.

• Commentary on: Return of the cycad hypothesis--does the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS/PDC) of Guam have new implications for global health?
  Cox PA, Banack S, Murch S, Sacks O. 2006.
  Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol. Dec;32(6):679-82.

• BMAA selectively injures motor neurons via AMPA/kainate receptor activation
  Shyam D. Rao, Sandra Anne Banack, Paul Alan Cox and John H. Weiss. 2006.
  Exp Neurol. ep;201(1):244-52. Epub 2006 Jun 9.

• Neurotoxic flying foxes as dietary items for the Chamorro people, Marianas Islands
  Sandra Anne Banack, Susan J. Murch and Paul Alan Cox. 2006.
  J Ethnopharmacol. un 15;106(1):97-104. Epub 2006 Feb 7.

• Diverse taxa of cyanobacteria produce β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, a neurotoxic amino acid
  Cox PA, Banack SA, Murch SJ, Rasmussen U, Tien G, Bidigare RR, Metcalf JS, Morrison LF, Codd GA, Bergman B. 2005.
  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Apr 5;102(14):5074-8. Epub 2005 Apr 4. 
  Erratum in: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Jul 5;102(27):9734.

• Occurrence of β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in ALS/PDC patients from Guam
  Murch SJ, Cox PA, Banack SA, Steele JC, Sacks OW. 2004.
  Acta Neurol Scand. Oct;110(4):267-9.

• A mechanism for slow release of biomagnified cyanobacterial neurotoxins and neurodegenerative disease in Guam
  Murch SJ, Cox PA, Banack SA. 2004.
  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Aug 17;101(33):12228-31. Epub 2004 Aug 4.

• Conservation Implications of Chamorro Consumption of Flying Foxes as a Possible Cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis–Parkinsonism Dementia Complex in Guam
  Monson CS, Banack SA, Cox, PA. 2003.
  Conservation Biology June;17(3):678–686.

• Biomagnification of cyanobacterial neurotoxins and neurodegenerative disease among the Chamorro people of Guam
  Cox PA, Banack SA, Murch SJ. 2003.
  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Nov 11;100(23):13380-3.

• Biomagnification of cycad neurotoxins in flying foxes: implications for ALS-PDC in Guam
  Banack SA, Cox PA. 2003.
  Neurology. Aug 12;61(3):387-9.

• Distribution of the neurotoxic nonprotein amino acid BMAA in Cycas micronesica
  Banack, SA, Cox, PA. 2003.
  Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. Oct;143(2):165–168.

• Cycad neurotoxins, consumption of flying foxes, and ALS-PDC disease in Guam
  Cox PA, Sacks OW. 2002.
  Neurology. Mar 26;58(6):956-9

Glioblastoma

• Kalata B1 Enhances Temozolomide Toxicity to Glioblastoma Cells.
Gerlach SL, Dunlop RA, Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Cheenou H,  Viswanathan V Krishnan, Ulf Göransson, Sunithi Gunasekera, Blazej Slazak and Cox PA. 2024.
Biomedicines, Sep 28;12(10):2216.

• Cyclotides Chemosensitize Glioblastoma Cells to Temozolomide.
Gerlach SL, Dunlop RA, Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Cox PA. 2022.
Journal of Natural Products, 85(1), pp.34-46. 

Prostratin

• Variability in content of the anti-AIDS drug candidate prostratin in Samoan populations ofHomalanthus nutans
  Johnson HE, Banack SA, Cox PA. 2008.
  J Nat Prod. 71(12):2041-2044.

• Ensuring Equitable Benefits: The Falealupo Covenant and the Isolation of Anti-Viral Drug Prostratin from a Samoan Medicinal Plant
  Cox PA. 2001.
  Pharmaceutical Biology. 39(1)Suppl.:33-40

• A non-promoting phorbol from the Samoan medicinal plant Homalanthus nutans inhibits cell killing by HIV-1.
  Gustafson KR, Cardellina JH 2nd, McMahon JB, Gulakowski RJ, Ishitoya J, Szallasi Z, Lewin NE, Blumberg PM, Weislow OS, Beutler JA, et al. 1992.
  J Med Chem. May 29;35(11):1978-86