A peptide of the formula R1-NH-HAEGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVK-CONR2R3for the treatment of early stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), wherein R1 = H or is an organic compound comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R2R3 = independently H or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.