Bill Nye the Science Guy is speaking at the 2024 Annual Ataxia Conference! Register now. LEARN MORE!
In many diseases caused by repeat expansion mutations in the DNA, harmful proteins containing repetitive stretches are found to build up in the brain. The repeat expansion mutation, when translated into a protein, results in an abnormally expanded repeat tract that can affect the function of the protein and have Read More…
Written by Jorge Diogo Da Silva Edited by Dr. David Bushart Normalizing neuronal dysfunction in SCA3/MJD by activating a receptor inside cells Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that typically begins in mid-adulthood. This disease causes loss of coordination and Read More…
A common nuisance for bacteria is the bacteriophage: a virus that uses the internal machinery of a bacteria to replicate its own genetic material. Bacteriophages do this by latching onto bacteria and injecting their DNA into the cell. As the cell grows and divides, the bacteriophage’s hope is that their Read More…
Written by Dr. Marija Cvetanovic Edited by Larissa Nitschke Purkinje cells (a type of neuron in the cerebellum) are the most vulnerable cells in many Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCAs). While animal models of SCA have been very fruitful in understanding the mechanisms of Purkinje cell neurodegeneration, none of these models have Read More…
Written by Eviatar Fields Edited by Dr. Vitaliy Bondar Scientists use Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor to delay motor symptom onset and cell death in a mouse model of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that affects about 2 out of 100,000 individuals. Read More…
RNA is an important molecule that helps with regulating the function of cells. To fully understand how RNA fits in here, we must first look at the bigger picture: genetics. The central dogma of molecular biology, depicted below, states that DNA is copied (transcribed) into RNA, which is later decoded Read More…
Written by Dr. Ambika Tewari Edited by Dr. Sriram Jayabal New research identifies the cell type in the cerebellum that is vital for a specific form of motor learning Locomotion – the process of moving oneself from one place to another – is highly adaptive. Depending on our current needs, Read More…
Gene therapy is using nucleic acids to treat a genetic disorder. These nucleic acids can be designed in a variety of ways to achieve the same therapeutic outcome. Gene therapy tools can be used to correct a mutant gene by one of three ways: Expressing a healthy copy of a Read More…
Written by Dr. Carolyn J. Adamski Edited by Dr. Judit M Perez Ortiz A research group uncovers a drug target to potentially correct motor phenotypes across several cerebellar ataxias. When someone is diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), their symptoms may look very similar despite the fact that different genes are causing the Read More…
A biomarker is any biological-based measurement that provides useful information regarding a person’s health. For example, blood test results showing increased glucose levels can be used as a biomarker for diabetes. A blood test showing an increased white blood cell count is a biomarker for infection. There are many sources of Read More…
Our generous donors help us fund promising Ataxia research and offer support services to people with Ataxia. Your gift today will help us continue to deliver on our mission to improve the lives of persons affected by Ataxia.
Join for FREE today! Become a part of the community that is working together to find a cure. As a member you will receive access to the latest Ataxia news with our e-newsletter and Generations publication.
