Patterns of inheritance in familial ALS

Neurology. 2005 May 10;64(9):1628-31. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000160395.43761.AC.

Abstract

We investigated 185 families with ALS for evidence of anticipation and mitochondrial inheritance. Although initial analysis demonstrated significant anticipation of age at death between generations in patients with familial ALS, further analysis demonstrated features of regression to the mean, suggesting that the perceived differences are the result of bias. In addition, there was no evidence of an effect of preferential maternal inheritance, which would have supported transmission of mitochondrial DNA mutations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Age of Onset
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / congenital
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / epidemiology
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / genetics*
  • Anticipation, Genetic / genetics*
  • Bias
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Genetic Testing
  • Humans
  • Inheritance Patterns / genetics*
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial