[Molecular mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: recent contributions from studies in animal models].

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative condition defined by loss of both upper and lower motor neurons. The molecular mechanisms underlying this pathology are currently elucidated using transgenic mice lines expressing mutated alleles of the copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, an enzyme mutated in about 2 p. cent of ALS cases. These transgenic mice also provide a valuable animal model to set up new therapeutic tools.