OBJECTIVES:
I. Determine specific clinical features, molecular abnormalities, and laboratory-based biological markers of free radical stress that are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and influence disease severity.
PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a screening and diagnostic study. Blood and urine samples are collected from patients every 2 months for 1 year. All samples are evaluated for measures of free radical damage and levels of the body's own antioxidant activity.
PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:
--Disease Characteristics-- Clinically diagnosed probable or definite, sporadic or familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
--Patient Characteristics-- Pulmonary: No artificial ventilation required Other: No other neurodegenerative diseases No concurrent or history of unstable medical illness