Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF): Possible Implications in the Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder, primarily affecting both upper and lower motor neurons. The median age of onset is around 68 years, and median survival approximately 2 years, although with significant variability1. The pathogenesis is unknown, but the recognition of mutations in the gene for copper/zinc Superoxide dismutase (SOD-1)2 in a proportion of patients (around 1–2% of all cases), almost all of whom have a family history of the condition, has provided fruitful avenues of research3. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which these mutations lead to the expression of the disease is not yet established4,5.