These results suggested that in the mTOR-autophagy pathway, an increase in the mTOR levels coupled with a reduction in the ULK1 and p-Beclin-1 (Ser15) levels may correspond to a lower LC3B-II/LC3B-I ratio and to higher p62 levels in ALS astrocytes. Here, ULK1 is linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.