Ataxia News and Research

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Ataxia is a neurological sign and symptom that consists of gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Ataxia is a non-specific clinical manifestation implying disfunction of the parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum.

New genetic discovery could change how Friedreich's ataxia is diagnosed

A University of Oklahoma researcher is the first to discover that the sequence of the genetic defect in the neuromuscular disease Friedreich's ataxia isn't always as uniform as previously thought, a breakthrough finding that could spark changes in how the condition is diagnosed and studied.

21 Jul 2025

Why buckwheat may be the best flour for gluten-free baking

Research shows buckwheat flour leads in gluten-free scone acceptability, emphasizing its role in enhancing texture and taste in gluten-free bakery products.

16 Jul 2025

Mitochondrial dysfunction drives cerebellar damage in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects an estimated 2.3 million people worldwide. Approximately 80% of people with MS have inflammation in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that helps control movement and balance, potentially leading to tremors, poor coordination, and trouble with motor control.

16 Jun 2025

MD Anderson researchers present promising clinical trial results at AACR 2025

Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will present promising results from clinical trials in three minisymposia abstracts at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025.

26 Apr 2025

Advanced software improves cerebellum analysis for disease diagnosis

A team of researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) has developed the world's most advanced software to study the human cerebellum using high-resolution NMR images.

20 Mar 2025

Study identifies key genetic markers for SCA6 diagnosis

The Department of Neurology at Niigata University and National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry NCNP has identified pathogenic thresholds for the CAG repeat units (RU) of the CACNA1A gene that causes SCA6.

3 Mar 2025

"Normal" vitamin B12 levels may not prevent brain decline

Researchers identify associations between B12 levels currently accepted as normal and markers of neurological injury or impairment.

24 Feb 2025

Gene therapy breakthrough offers hope for severe Dravet syndrome cases

AAV-Navβ1 gene therapy effectively reduces seizures and prolongs life in a mouse model of SCN1B-linked Dravet syndrome, paving the way for future treatments.

18 Feb 2025

Flu-related neurologic events pose greater risk for children with pre-existing neurologic conditions

Many clinicians do not consider neurologic complications of the flu when discussing vaccination or treatment of influenza with families.

13 Feb 2025

Tick-borne encephalitis emerges in Britain: Experts urge vigilance

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) has now been confirmed in locally acquired human cases in the U.K., with evidence of established transmission in British tick populations. Increased surveillance and clinician awareness are crucial to detecting and managing this emerging threat.

10 Feb 2025

L-arginine shows potential in treating spinocerebellar ataxia type 6

A team led by Specially Appointed Associate Professor Tomohiko Ishihara and Professor Osamu Onodera at Niigata University, along with Professor Yoshitaka Nagai at Kindai University, conducted a randomized, double-blind trial on the efficacy and safety of L-arginine in treating Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6).

3 Dec 2024

Genetic diagnosis solves medical mystery for 30 undiagnosed patients

An international team of researchers has provided a genetic diagnosis for 30 individuals whose condition was undiagnosed for years despite extensive clinical or genetic testing.

8 Nov 2024

Drug repurposing offers hope for SYNGAP1 patients

The SynGAP Research Fund 501(c)(3) has awarded a pair of grants to Dr. Clement Chow, a geneticist and Associate Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah. These grants are crucial steps in advancing therapeutic development for SYNGAP1-Related Disorders (SRD).

30 Oct 2024