ALS-CSF exposure resulted in near threefold down-regulation in the mRNA expression levels of GDNF in the astroglial cultures exposed to ALS-CSF for 48 h, when compared to the normal and the disease control (**p < 0.01 NC and #p < 0.05 NALS v/s ALS; Fig. 4a). Here, GDNF is linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.