Calcitonin gene-related peptide expression levels predict motor neuron vulnerability in the superoxide dismutase 1-G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) some motor neurons degenerate while others survive. The molecular mechanisms underlying this selective vulnerability and resistance, respectively, are poorly understood. Since the neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is expressed by many but not all motor neurons, we asked if motor neuron CGRP levels predict their vulnerability in the SOD1-G93A mouse model of ALS.