Friedreich's Ataxia News and Research

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Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system resulting in symptoms ranging from gait disturbance and speech problems to heart disease. A well-known celebrity afflicted with Friedreich's ataxia is former major leaguer and noted historian Clinton Stewart.

Single infusion of wildtype HSPCs halts cellular damage caused by neuromuscular disorder in mice

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine report that a single infusion of wildtype hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) into a mouse model of Friedreich's ataxia (FA) measurably halted cellular damage caused by the degenerative disease.

25 Oct 2017

Studies offer hope for developing new biomarker and drug for neurodegenerative diseases

Two new studies of progressive, neurodegenerative diseases linked to defects in cells' mitochondria offer hope for developing a new biomarker for research and diagnostics, and a drug for treating such diseases, report researchers at the University of California, Davis.

6 Jun 2017

New wonder compound offers strong protection against harmful effects of UVA rays

A new wonder compound developed by University of Bath scientists in collaboration with King's College London offers unprecedented protection against the harmful effects of UVA radiation in sunlight, which include photo-ageing, cell damage and cancer.

20 Jul 2016

Study identifies gene linked to rare, complex diseases

IRB Barcelona identifies GEMC1 as a master gene for the generation of multiciliated cells—cells with fine filaments that move fluids and substances—which are found exclusively in the brain, respiratory tract, and reproductive system.Defects in multiciliated cells lead to ciliopathies—rare and complex diseases that are poorly understood and for which not all causative genes have been identified.

3 Mar 2016

Synthetic RNA and DNA could reverse protein deficiency that causes Friedreich's ataxia

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified synthetic RNA and DNA that reverses the protein deficiency causing Friedreich's ataxia, a neurological disease for which there is currently no cure.

17 Feb 2016

Cardiac monitoring predicts survival in patients with Friedreich ataxia

Researchers confirm the need for cardiac follow-up in patients with Friedreich ataxia, with particular focus on left ventricular ejection fraction as a predictor of worse prognosis.

12 Oct 2015

Riluzole ‘a candidate treatment’ for cerebellar ataxia

Riluzole may be an effective treatment for cerebellar ataxia, say researchers who call for further studies to confirm their findings.

9 Sep 2015

USF, FARA to jointly host scientific symposium on Friedreich's ataxia

The University of South Florida will again bring together leading researchers and patients searching for a treatment for Friedreich's ataxia and related disorders at the seventh annual scientific symposium "Understanding Energy for A Cure." The symposium will be held 5 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at the USF Marshall Student Center Ballroom, USF Cedar Circle, Tampa, FL 33620.

2 Sep 2015

TSRI scientists find simple method to convert human skin cells into sensory neurons

A team led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute has found a simple method to convert human skin cells into the specialized neurons that detect pain, itch, touch and other bodily sensations. These neurons are also affected by spinal cord injury and involved in Friedreich's ataxia, a devastating and currently incurable neurodegenerative disease that largely strikes children.

25 Nov 2014

Edison's EPI-743 receives FDA orphan drug designation for treatment of Leigh syndrome

Edison Pharmaceuticals today announced that the FDA has granted Orphan Drug status to vatiquinone for the treatment of Leigh syndrome.

9 Jun 2014

Research suggests that person can slow aging process by exercising regularly

New research by Canadian sports medicine physician Mark Tarnopolsky, MD, PhD, suggests that a person can slow the speed at which they age by exercising regularly. Dr. Tarnopolsky presented his research titled, "Exercise as a Countermeasure for Aging: From Mice to Humans" today at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM). Dr. Tarnopolsky discussed how regular exercise not only improves the quality of life but can also extend a person's lifespan by up to five years.

8 Apr 2014

Edison Pharmaceuticals begins EPI-743 clinical trial in children with Pearson syndrome

Edison Pharmaceuticals today announced the initiation of a phase 2 study entitled "A Phase 2 Safety and Efficacy Study of EPI-743 (Vincerinone™) in Children with Pearson Syndrome." The Investigative New Drug application (IND) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Hematology and Oncology Products.

17 Mar 2014

FDA grants Fast Track designation to Edison’s lead drug EPI-743

Edison Pharmaceuticals today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track designation to EPI-743, the company's lead drug, for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia. EPI-743 is being developed for pediatric and adult mitochondrial disease, including Friedreich's ataxia.

17 Mar 2014

Edison Pharmaceuticals initiates Phase 2B/3 study of EPI-743 in children with Leigh syndrome

Edison Pharmaceuticals today announced the initiation of a phase 2B/3 study entitled, "A Phase 2B/3 Open-label Study of EPI-743 in Children with Leigh Syndrome" to be conducted in conjunction with Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co, Ltd.

10 Mar 2014

Longtime allies team up to create Penn Medicine/CHOP Friedreich's Ataxia Center of Excellence

Three longtime allies have joined forces to create the new Penn Medicine/CHOP Friedreich's Ataxia Center of Excellence.

7 Mar 2014

UMMS launches Voyager Therapeutics to develop life-changing treatments for fatal diseases

UMass Medical School (UMMS) recognizes the launch today of Voyager Therapeutics, a gene therapy company founded by four world leaders in the fields of AAV gene therapy, RNA biology and neuroscience, to develop life-changing treatments for fatal and debilitating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).

13 Feb 2014

Edison's vatiquinone receives Orphan Status for treatment of Friedreich's ataxia

Edison Pharmaceuticals today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has granted Orphan Status to vatiquinone for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia.

4 Feb 2014

FARA funds gene therapy-based research project to tackle Friedreich's ataxia

The gene therapy-based research project to tackle Friedreich's ataxia launched in November in labs at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine, in Barcelona, and the "Centro de Biolog-a Molecular Severo Ochoa", in Madrid, has received 100,000 US$ per year for two years from the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance.

29 Jan 2014

Scientists join patients to address Friedreich's Ataxia

The Spanish Federation of Ataxia (FEDAES)—in representation of the GENEFA Platform for a Friedreich's Ataxia cure—, the Babel Family association for biomedical research into Friedreich's Ataxia, the "Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa" (CMBSO), and the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) have signed an agreement through which these patients' associations will fund, by means of donations, a 3-year research project addressing Friedreich's Ataxia.

16 Nov 2013

Viropharma announces financial results for third quarter 2013

ViroPharma Incorporated reported today its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013. Net sales were $113 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013, as compared to $91 million in the same three months of 2012.

31 Oct 2013