We have sequenced the 5' UTR and promoter region of the VEGFR2 gene in patients with ALS, to determine whether the observed downregulation of VEGFR2 expression in ALS patients is related to the segregation of certain alleles at polymorphic sites within the regulatory regions of the VEGFR2 in the ALS population. The gene discussed is KDR; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.