Altered gene expression of the astrocytic lactate efflux transporter (monocarboxylate transporter 4, SLC16A4) together with reduced lactate levels found in the spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mice further suggest that metabolic interaction between neurons and astrocytes may be disrupted in ALS (Ferraiuolo et al., 2011). The gene discussed is SLC16A4; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.