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Ataxia, Friedreich's
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Ataxia, Friedreich'sis not the name you expected.
Synonyms
- Friedreich's Disease
- Friedreich's Tabes
- Hereditary Ataxia, Friedrich's Type
- Spinal Ataxia, Hereditofamilial
- FRDA
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
Friedreich's Ataxia is a genetic, progressive, neurologic movement disorder that typically becomes apparent before adolescence. Initial symptoms may include unsteady posture, frequent falling, and progressive difficulties walking due to an impaired ability to coordinate voluntary movements (ataxia). Affected individuals may also develop abnormalities of certain reflexes; characteristic foot deformities; increasing incoordination of the arms and hands; slurred speech (dysarthria); and rapid, involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). Friedreich's Ataxia may also be associated with cardiomyopathy, a disease of cardiac muscle that may be characterized by shortness of breath upon exertion (dyspnea), chest pain, and irregularities in heart rhythm (cardiac arrythmias). Some affected individuals may also develop diabetes mellitus, a condition in which there is insufficient secretion of the hormone insulin. Primary symptoms may include abnormally increased thirst and urination (polydipsia and polyuria), weight loss, lack of appetite, fatigue, and blurred vision.
Friedreich's Ataxia may be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Cases in which a family history of the disease has not been found may represent new genetic changes (mutations) that occur spontaneously (sporadically). Friedreich's Ataxia results from mutations of a gene known as "X25" or "frataxin" located on the long arm (q) of chromosome 9 (9q13). In most affected individuals, the frataxin gene contains errors in the coded "building blocks" (nucleotide bases) that make up the gene's instructions. The symptoms and findings associated with Friedreich's Ataxia are thought to result primarily from degenerative changes of nerve fibers of the spinal cord as well as peripheral nerves, which are the motor and sensory nerves and groups of nerve cell bodies (ganglia) outside the brain and spinal cord.
Resources
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains
NY
10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
800: (888)663-4637
Askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com
National Ataxia Foundation
2600 Fernbrook Lane n, Suite 119
Minneapolis
MN
55447-4752
USA
Tel: (763)553-0020
Fax: (763)553-0167
naf@ataxia.org
http://www.ataxia.org
National Scoliosis Foundation
5 Cabot Place
Stoughton
MA
02072
Tel: (781)341-6333
Fax: (781)341-8333
800: (800)673-6922
nsf@scoliosis.org
http://www.scoliosis.org
American Diabetes Association
National Call Center
1701 N. Beauregard Street
Alexandria
VA
22311
Tel: (703)549-1500
Fax: (703)549-6995
800: (800)342-2383
askADA@diabetes.org
http://www.diabetes.org
Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 E. Sunrise Dr
Tucson
AZ
85718
USA
Tel: (520)529-2000
Fax: (520)529-5300
800: (800)344-4863
mda@mdausa.org
http://www.mdausa.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda
MD
20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
800: (800)352-9424
braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance
P.O. Box 1537
Springfield
VA
22151
USA
Tel: (703)426-1576
Fax: (703)413-4467
fara@CureFA.org
http://www.CureFA.org
MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay
WI
54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
800: (877)336-5333
mums@netnet.net
http://www.netnet.net/mums/
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
500 Morris Ave
Springfield
NJ
07081
USA
Tel: (973)379-2690
Fax: (973)912-9433
800: (800)225-0292
info@crof.org
http://www.crpf.org, http://www.paralysis.org
Let Them Hear Foundation
1900 University Ave #101
East Palo Alto
CA
94303
Tel: (650)462-3143
Fax: (650)462-3143
800: (877)735-2929
info@letthemhear.org
http://www.letthemhear.org
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 8/12/2008
Copyright 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders
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