The P56S mutation in the VAP-B MSPd is associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 8 (ALS8), and it alters the function of VAP-B by inhibiting cleavage of the MSPd and promoting formation of protein aggregates in neurons (Kanekura et al., 2006; Teuling et al., 2007; Kim et al., 2010). The gene discussed is VAPB; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 8.