• A heterogenous group of degenerative syndromes marked by progressive cerebellar dysfunction either in isolation or combined with other neurologic manifestations. Sporadic and inherited subtypes occur. Inheritance patterns include autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and x-linked.
  • An autosomal recessive disease, usually of childhood onset, characterized pathologically by degeneration of the spinocerebellar tracts, posterior columns, and to a lesser extent the corticospinal tracts. Clinical manifestations include gait ataxia, pes cavus, speech impairment, lateral curvature of spine, rhythmic head tremor, kyphoscoliosis, congestive heart failure (secondary to a cardiomyopathy), and lower extremity weakness. Most forms of this condition are associated with a mutation in a gene on chromosome 9, at band q13, which codes for the mitochondrial protein frataxin. (from Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1081; n engl j med 1996 oct 17;335(16):1169-75) the severity of friedreich ataxia associated with expansion of gaa repeats in the first intron of the frataxin gene correlates with the number of trinucleotide repeats. (from durr et al, n engl j med 1996 oct 17;335(16):1169-75)
  • An autosomal recessive inherited disorder caused by mutations in the fxn gene. It is characterized by progressive degeneration of the nerve tissues of the spinal cord. The main symptoms include gait and balance disturbances, lack of limb coordination, and speech disturbances.
  • Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited disease that damages your nervous system. The damage affects your spinal cord and the nerves that control muscle movement in your arms and legs. Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 5 and 15. The main symptom is ataxia, which means trouble coordinating movements. Specific symptoms include
    • difficulty walking
    • muscle weakness
    • speech problems
    • involuntary eye movements
    • scoliosis
    • heart palpitations
    people with friedreich's ataxia usually need a wheelchair 15 to 20 years after symptoms first appear. In severe cases, people become incapacitated. There is no cure. You can treat symptoms with medicines, braces, surgery and physical therapy.
  • Inherited disease with degenerative changes in the dorsal half of spinal cord and cerebellum; characterized by ataxia of extremities and trunk, speech impairment, and lateral curvature of the spine.