Bill Nye the Science Guy is speaking at the 2024 Annual Ataxia Conference! Register now. LEARN MORE!
Written by Sophia Leung Edited by Dr. Marija Cvetanovic While the mutant proteins in SCA19/22 lose part of their innate functions and properties, they also disrupt the key functions of the normal healthy protein. The underlying mechanism of the hereditary property of SCA19/22 is elusive. In this study, the researchers Read More…
Public transit may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about the brain, but it’s a great way to understand how all the parts of the central nervous system work together. Nutrients, hormones, and other important molecules (the passengers) need to get on and off Read More…
Written by Dr. Ambika Tewari Edited by Dr. Hayley McLoughlin Lentiviral expression of an shRNA against ataxin-3 was well-tolerated and produced no measurable adverse effects in wild-type mice. Evaluating the safety profile is a necessary and crucial step in qualifying a therapy for use in patients. Gene therapy is an Read More…
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sheng-Han Kuo Location: Columbia University, New York, NY, United States Year Founded: 2012 What disease areas do you research? SCA1 SCA2 SCA3 SCA6 Tremor Essential Tremor What models and techniques do you use? Mouse models Post-mortem patient tissue Optogenetics Human physiology EEG (electroencephalogram) Neuromodulation Research Focus What is your Read More…
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are well known for worsening motor coordination symptoms caused by the degeneration of the cerebellum. Yet, increasing reports indicate that broader changes are occurring in the brains of some SCA patients. This includes changes in the hippocampus, a brain region critical for learning and memory. One way Read More…
When you think of a balance beam, you might think of gymnastics. For humans, a balance beam is a surface where we perform jumps, flips, and other athletic feats. Whether it’s a child taking their first class, or an Olympic athlete going for gold, the balance beam requires both balance Read More…
Principal Investigator: Dr. Maurizio Petrarca Location: Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy Year Founded: 2000 What disease areas do you research? Friedreich’s ataxia Early-onset ataxia Non-Progressive Cerebellar Ataxia Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease Cerebral Palsy Adrenoleukodystrophy What models and techniques do you use? Wearable Technologies Movement analysis Read More…
Written by Anna Cook Edited by Dr. David Bushart Brain-derived neurotrophic factor can prevent ataxia in SCA1 mice. New research shows that the treatment works even if it’s started after mice develop signs of ataxia. SCA1 is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a mutation in the Ataxin1 gene. People with Read More…
Written by Dr. Judit Pérez Edited by Dr. David Bushart A new case report describes how a new mutation in the CACNA1A gene causes ataxia with seizures. Genes and their diseases Hereditary ataxias are caused by mutations in different genes that affect how different parts of the brain and spinal Read More…
How do you remember your name? Thank your hippocampus, a part of the brain that lies buried in the cerebrum and plays an important role in memory. The hippocampus looks like a seahorse when removed from the brain and hence the name (derived from Hippokampus, the Greek word for seahorse). 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.
