The invention provides methods of monitoring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease development of progression and monitoring an ALS therapy by determining the level of HLA-DR expression by CD14+ monocytes and/or the percentage of CD16+ cells in the population of CD14+ cells and/or the number of CD14+/CD16+ cells in peripheral blood of an individual with ALS. The invention is also directed to methods for decreasing the number of circulati ng CD14+ monocytes and/or the population of CD14+/CD16+ cells and/or the number of CD14+/CD16+ cells in an individual ALS. The invention is also directed to methods of screening for agents which decrease the population of CD14+monocytes with elevated HLA-DR expression and/or the population of CD14+/CD16+ cells and/or the number of CD14+/CD16+ cells in an individual wi th ALS.
METHODS FOR MONITORING AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS