In neurons, the proteins generated by c9orf72 play a passive role in cellular functioning as the selective knockout of c9orf72 from nestin expressing glia and neurons did not result in motor neuron degeneration, decreased survival, or other pathological hallmarks of ALS suggesting gain of function effects drive c9orf72 toxicity in neurons (Koppers et al., 2015). This evidence concerns the gene C9orf72 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.