Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a paralytic disorder caused by motor neuron degeneration. Mutations in more than 50 human genes cause diverse types of motor neuron pathology. Moreover, defects in five Mendelian genes lead to motor neuron disease, with two mutations reproducing the ALS phenotype. Analyses of these genetic effects have generated new insights into the diverse molecular pathways involved in ALS pathogenesis. Here, we present an overview of the mechanisms for motor neuron death and of the role of non-neuronal cells in ALS.

Author affiliations

1. Day Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Room 3125, Building 114, 16th Street, Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02429, USA.

Correspondence to: Piera Pasinelli¹ Email: ppasinelli@partners.org

Correspondence to: Robert H. Brown¹ Email: rhbrown@partners.org

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