DNA, Blood and Skin Cell Repository for Research on ALS and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders at Mayo Clinic Florida

Inclusion criteria

• ALS Patient

• Clinical diagnosis of possible, laboratory-supported probable, probable or definite ALS according to modified EL Escorial criteria, suspected ALS according to original El Escorial criteria, or diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disorder with evidence of ALS plus extramotor features
• > or = 18 years of age and willing to provide consent, or assent, if unable to consent
• Subject with family history of ALS or other relevant neurodegenerative disease

• No personal history of ALS, ALS-FTD or other motor neuron disease
• Family history of ALS, ALS-FTD in a first, second or third degree blood relative
• > or = 18 years of age and willing to provide consent
• Control

• No personal or family history (first or second degree blood relative) of ALS, dementia, Parkinson disease or other relevant neurodegenerative disorder
• > or = 18 years of age and willing to provide consent

Exclusion criteria

• ALS Subject and subject with family history of ALS/ALS-FTD or other neurodegenerative motor neuron disorder but no personal history of such conditions

• History of medical disorder that leaves in question whether neurological signs and symptoms potentially related to a neurodegenerative disease may be contributed to by an acquired condition
• Limited mental capacity rendering the subject unable to comply with skin punch biopsy or standard phlebotomy procedures
• For collection of skin punch biopsy, an increased risk of bleeding complications or allergy to local anesthetic administered at the time of skin biopsy
• Healthy Control Subject

• Personal or family history of dementia or other neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, etc.)
• Limited mental capacity rendering the subject unable to provide written informed consent or comply with standard phlebotomy procedures
• For collection of skin punch biopsy, an increased risk of bleeding complications or allergy to local anesthetic administered at the time of skin biopsy