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Genetics and inheritance

Familial ALS/MND

ALS/MND where more than one person in a family is affected, or where a known genetic cause is found.

What it means

Some people with ALS/MND have a family history of it, and most do not. A genetic change may still be found where no relative was ever affected, so the two definitions do not always agree. That is one of the things genetic counselling exists to explain, and how common each is, is covered on the genetic testing card.

Why you might hear it

  • It is the first question asked when genetic testing is discussed.
  • It carries implications for relatives, which is why counselling comes first.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.