Interestingly, IKK2/NF-κB activation in astrocytes induces an initial protective phenotype in pre-symptomatic stages of ALS, which was associated with the expansion of beneficially acting microglia in the spinal cord as well as decreased motoneuron degeneration and overall delayed ALS disease onset [25]. This evidence concerns the gene IKBKB and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.