Microarray analysis of lymphocytes from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients

Transcriptional profiling of peripheral blood lymphocytes collected from both patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (n=11) and from healthy control subjects (n=11).

Blood samples used for microarray analysis were collected from sporadic definite ALS patients and from healthy control (HC) subjects, by venipuncture, into tubes adequate for either serum or lymphocyte isolation. The healthy controls consisted of 9 white females (mean age 51.4 ± 11 years) and 2 white males (64, 65 years old). The ALS patients consisted of one black male (49 years old), one black female (69 years old), 5 white females (mean age 59 ± 20 years), and 4 white males (mean age 47 ± 9 years).