In response to concern about the development of ALS among veterans of the U.S. armed forces, particularly Gulf War veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs established a national registry of veterans with ALS. This Registry will identify living veterans with ALS, track the progression of their disease, and serve as a vehicle to facilitate study of epidemiological risk factors for ALS in a military context. The Registry will also function as a means of communication with the enrolled patients about basic and clinical ALS-specific research. Executive and scientific research committees guide the activity of the registry.