How do sporadic ALS and familial ALS differ?

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How do sporadic ALS and familial ALS differ?

Healthcare providers also divide ALS into two categories, based on where the disease comes from:

  • Sporadic ALS: About 90% to 95% of ALS cases are sporadic. This means the disease happens randomly. It’s not tied to any clear risk factor or family history of the disease.
  • Familial ALS: Also called genetic ALS, it affects about 5% to 10% of people with ALS. It happens when you inherit the disease from one or both of your parents. The disease runs in families and gets passed down through genetic mutations or changes.