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Ataxia

Snapshot: What is Polyglutamine Expansion?

The information that allows the normal development and functioning of each human being is coded in DNA, which exists in all cells of the body. Several successive segments of DNA make up a gene, with the human body containing approximately 20,000. Every gene has a different arrangement of DNA segments Read More…

Mitochondrial Dysfunction Found in SCA1 Purkinje Cells

Written by Dr. Terri M Driessen Edited by Dr. David Bushart Mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of mitochondrial DNA is identified in an SCA1 mouse model. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes cell death in certain parts of the brain. The brain regions affected play important Read More…

Snapshot: What is DNA?

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the way that living beings store the information that determines how they look and function. Think about DNA as the blueprints, or instructions, for life. All life forms – humans, cats, dogs, trees, and bacteria – all contain DNA. Your DNA is what carries the information Read More…

Where Should We Look to Detect SCA3 Pathology and Progression?

Written by Jorge Diogo Da Silva Edited by Dr. Maria do Carmo Costa Potential drug targets and biomarkers of SCA3/MJD revealed Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that usually begins in mid-life. The mutation that causes SCA3 leads to the Read More…

Snapshot: What are Purkinje cells?

Purkinje cells are important neuronal cells located in the outer layers of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is part of the brain that is primarily known for controlling sense of balance and movement but can also influence learning, memory, and mood. Purkinje cells receive lots of information from other neurons through Read More…

SCAsource Turns 6 Months Old!

Today marks the six-month anniversary of the SCAsource website launch. A big thank you to all who have read our posts and have come back for more! It is really exciting to see SCAsource grow from an idea shared between colleagues to an actual website that people read. Another thank Read More…

Approaching the age of clinical therapy for spinocerebellar ataxia type 1

Written by Dr. Marija Cvetanovic Edited by Dr. Maxime W. Rousseaux New research (published Nov. 2018) reveals promising potential genetic therapy for SCA1. A research team comprised of scientists from academia and industry have tested a new treatment for Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), bringing disease-modifying therapy one step closer Read More…

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 is Caused by a Trinucleotide DNA Repeat

Written by Hillary Handler  Edited by Dr. David Bushart How researchers found that SCA1 is caused by an expanded, repetitive DNA sequence – a discovery that has allowed for accurate SCA1 diagnosis and more focused research strategies Before the true genetic basis of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1) was discovered, Read More…

A novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of SCA3

Written by Larissa Nitschke Edited by Dr. Gülin Öz Researchers in the Netherlands uncover a new way to treat SCA3 Upon receiving a conclusive diagnosis of Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), hundreds of questions can appear in a patient’s mind: What is Spinocerebellar Ataxia? Why am I affected? How will my symptoms Read More…

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