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.