Fig. 1

Serum multiplex cytokine panel. Cytokine profile was assayed in sera of ALS patients and controls on both visits using an ultrasensitive human cytokine panel. At first visit, a significant increase in serum IL-6 (p < 0.05) and decrease in IL-5 (p < 0.05) levels were determined for ALS patients versus controls. At second visit, ALS patients had significantly less serum IL-2 (p < 0.05) and IL-6 (p < 0.01) although IL-8 increased (p < 0.01) compared to controls. There were no significant differences in IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and GM-CSF between ALS patients and controls, although elevated IL-1β and decreased IL-4 and GM-CSF were noted in both visits. Results are plotted as mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was determined using two-tailed t-tests (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01)