The first ALS‐related gene, encoding a cytosolic Cu/Zn‐binding SOD (SOD1) was reported in 1993 (Dal Canto & Gurney, 1994; Ripps et al., 1995; Rosen et al., 1993) and since 2011, mutations in more than 20 genes have been identified (e.g. C9orf72, TARDBP, FUS, HNRNPA1, SQSTM1, VCP, OPTN and PFN1). The gene discussed is SOD1; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.