Genetically-encoded components of developmentally-required signaling pathways that mediate the removal of neurites [including tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs), MAP kinases, Bax, and caspases] also underlie neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when they are dysregulated in adulthood (Kirkland and Franklin, 2003; Fischer and Glass, 2007; Saxena and Caroni, 2007; Vickers et al., 2009; Tait and Green, 2010; Kanaan et al., 2013). The gene discussed is BAX; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.