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Benefit: Understanding your risk of developing ALS or related conditions

Many people with a family history of ALS or related conditions wonder if they’re likely to develop neurologic symptoms in the future. Genetic testing can help you find an answer to this question.

It’s possible you could go through genetic testing and not get clear answers about whether you’re likely to develop ALS or a related condition. This is called an inconclusive result. Your chances of getting an inconclusive result depend on several factors (like whether there’s a known genetic cause of ALS in your family). Your genetic counselor can help you understand this in more detail at your appointment. In the next section, we’ll discuss the limitations and challenges of genetic testing further.

Keep in mind that genetic research on ALS and related conditions is progressing quickly. If you get an inconclusive result now, you may be able to learn more about your genetic risk in the future.