Observational StudyA Longitudinal Analysis of Biomarkers in Patients With ALS

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 years of age or older at time of consent.
2. Capable of providing informed consent.
3. Capable of complying with study procedures.
4. ALS Subjects only: ALS subjects diagnosed with familial or sporadic ALS as according to the El Escorial Criteria (suspected, possible, probable - lab supported, probable, or definite) or individuals with known gene mutations associated with ALS (regardless of clinical phenotype)
5. Control Subjects only: Absence of autoimmune myopathy, neuropathy, ALS mimic disorder, or any other neurodegenerative disease or known diagnosis of ALS, or known ALS causative gene
6. Lumbar Puncture volunteers only: Clinically appropriate to have a lumbar puncture

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of a neurodegenerative disease other than ALS
2. Clinically significant history of unstable medical illness
3. Inability to comply with study procedures, in the view of the investigator
4. Lumbar Puncture volunteers only: Presence of bleeding disorder, problems with cerebrospinal fluid pressure, allergy to local anesthetics, a topical or other skin infection at the lumbar puncture site
5. Lumbar Puncture volunteers only: Taking an anti-platelet or anticoagulant drug, such as Plavix, Brilinta, Ticlid, Warfarin/Coumadin, Lovenox, Elaquis, Pradaxa, Xarelto, etc, and unable to safely hold it for this study. (Aspirin is allowed)
6. Taking any immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive medication, as determined by the principal investigator.