VEGFA and neuromyelitis optica: In line with previous studies, patients with ALS also revealed abnormalities in the levels of such cytokines/chemokines as IL-7, IL-17, eotaxin/CCL11, FGF-2, G-CSF, and VEGF.16, –, 18 IL-7 is a growth and differentiation factor for precursor B cells and plays a role in T cell activation.32 It is proposed that IL-17 contributes to several neurologic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica.33,34 FGF-2 deficiency prolonged survival and improved motor performance in the ALS mouse model,35 whereas FGF-2 was elevated in the present patients with PMA.