A method of diagnosing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a subject in need thereof is provided. The method comprising determining in cells of the subject at least one alteration in a sequence or expression level of Cytoplasmic FMR Interacting Protein (CyFIP2 Accession AF160973) and/or Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 9 (RbBP9 Accession AF039564), wherein an altered sequence or expression of the sequence or expression level of the CyFIP2 Accession AF160973) or Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 9 (RbBP9 Accession AF039564) as compared to a control reference sample from a non-ALS subject, is indicative of ALS. The present teachings may be implemented in screening for novel anti-ALS medicaments and for treating ALS.
