title: Genetic studies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: controversies and perspectives.
abstract: The genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are slowly being dissected out with the help of recent advances in genetic technology. Linkage studies and association studies examining candidate genes, candidate pathways, and genome-wide association have been used, based on direct sequencing and correlations between genetic variations. Copy number and microsatellite variants have also been examined, although the ideal methods for analysis are still being developed. In this review we examine the evidence for a genetic basis to ALS, discuss the challenges and difficulties faced and summarize the support for the reported genetic causes of ALS.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, UK.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beleza-Meireles
authors.forename: Ammar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Chalabi
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D018628:Gene Dosage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1
chemical_list: C000606290:SOD1 protein, human; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1