MCAM and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: In contrast, previous studies have shown activation of other cellular adhesion molecules in SOD1 models, such as intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and melanoma cellular adhesion molecule (MelCAM).11,37 While it is possible that the endothelial changes are limited to other cellular adhesion molecules and do not involve VCAM-1, this is contrary to our current conception of VCAM-1 as being an integral molecule in the process of adhesion and diapedesis of peripheral inflammatory cells.38 We conclude that there is currently no useful role for VCAM-MPIO as a biomarker in SOD1 ALS.