What Predisposes People to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

CONTEXT

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating degenerative neurological disease characterized by a loss of motor neurons and leads to rapidly progressive global paralysis and death in 2-3 years after the onset of symptoms. Although 10% of cases do involve a heritable cause, the majority of patients present with the so-called sporadic form. However, recent epidemiological studies suggest that multiple genetic factors contribute to the sporadic cases as well. Advancing our understanding in clinical neurogenetics regarding this disease will allow us to better respond to various questions that remain open.

Project

This project includes all the patients taking part in the ALS Cohort study whose follow-up includes the CeSLA’s multidisciplinary appointments at the HUG. They will receive genetic screening for the currently known genes and also an analysis of new variations in a fundamental genetic research approach. Advancing our understanding of the disease will enable us to best anticipate the care suitable for a given patient.

This project is supported by the ProFutura Foundation.

project manager

Dr. Iancu Ferfoglia Ruxandra, Senior Physician, Neurology Division, Clinical Neuroscience Department, Geneva University Hospitals