Studies in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Other Neurodegenerative Motor Neuron Disorders

Inclusion criteria

ALS or Suspected 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
• Blood relative (first, second or third degree) with history of ALS or neurodegenerative disorder with evidence of ALS plus extramotor features; OR:

• A clinical suspicion or referral for ALS;
• > 18 years of age;
• Willing and able to give signed informed consent or assent that has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Blood Relative of ALS Patient

• Family history (first, second or third degree blood relative) of ALS or other motor neuron disease;
• > 18 years of age;
• Willing and able to give signed informed consent that has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Healthy Control

• No personal or family history (first, second or third degree blood relative) of ALS or other motor neuron disease;
• > 18 years of age;
• No personal history of other neurodegenerative disease (i.e., Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease);
• Willing and able to give signed informed consent that has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Exclusion criteria

ALS or Suspected Patient • Limited mental capacity rendering the subject unable to provide written informed consent or assent or comply with standard phlebotomy procedures.

Blood Relative of ALS Patient

• Limited mental capacity rendering the subject unable to provide written informed consent or comply with standard phlebotomy procedures.

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.