Interestingly, a reduction in VAPB mRNA and protein levels was also observed in the spinal cord of sporadic and familiar (superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)-linked) ALS patients and mice, suggesting a role of VAPB in the pathogenesis of non-VAPB linked ALS as well (Teuling et al., 2007; Anagnostou et al., 2010). The gene discussed is VAPB; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.