Serum irisin is upregulated in patients affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and correlates with functional and metabolic status.

ALS patients with impaired metabolic status showed higher serum irisin levels compared to normo-metabolic ALS patients and healthy subjects. Irisin levels were also negatively correlated with the extent of functional and respiratory impairment, due to as yet unknown causes, being more elevated in patients with greater disability.