In this context, increased CNTF levels in cerebrospinal fluid and/or blood have been described in some human conditions characterized by variably extensive and/or evident tissue damage, including acute disseminated encephalomyelitis17, sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)18,19, focal epilepsy20, autism21 and septic shock22. The gene discussed is CNTF; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.