What is SCA ataxia?

What is SCA ataxia?

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a term referring to a group of hereditary ataxias that are characterized by degenerative changes in the part of the brain related to the movement control (cerebellum), and sometimes in the spinal cord.

How long can you live with cerebellar ataxia?

The symptoms of Friedreich’s ataxia usually get gradually worse over many years. People with the condition tend to have a shorter life expectancy than normal. Many people live until at least their 30s, and some can live into their 60s or beyond.

Can you recover from cerebellar ataxia?

MAYWOOD, Ill. (March 23, 2015) – No cures are possible for most patients who suffer debilitating movement disorders called cerebellar ataxias.

How fast does cerebellar ataxia progress?

The age of onset and the rate of ataxia progression are perhaps the two most useful clinical features pointing to the cause. Rapid progression (within weeks to months) is characteristic of paraneoplastic spinocerebellar degeneration and sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Does ataxia affect memory?

The cerebellum plays a role in some forms of thinking. Patients with cerebellar atrophy may have impaired recall of newly learned information or difficulty with “executive functions” such as making plans and keeping thoughts in proper sequence.

Is ataxia considered a disability?

If you have Ataxia, you may experience a variety of challenges. Ataxia can be disabling, and if you are unable to work and earn a living because of the severity of the condition, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Does anxiety cause ataxia?

Episodes of ataxia and other symptoms can begin anytime from early childhood to adulthood. They can be triggered by environmental factors such as emotional stress, caffeine, alcohol, certain medications, physical activity, and illness.

What do you need to know about spinocerebellar ataxia?

Summary Summary. Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a term referring to a group of hereditary ataxias that are characterized by degenerative changes in the part of the brain related to the movement control (cerebellum), and sometimes in the spinal cord.

Which is autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia ( SCA )?

While there are several inherited, sporadic, and acquired causes of cerebellar ataxia, the term SCA specifically refers to the autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias (ADCA). Currently there are 40 identified SCAs, numbered SCA1 through SCA40, and that list continues to grow.

How does the National Ataxia Foundation help people with ataxia?

The National Ataxia Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons affected by ataxia, provides lists of neurologists, ataxia clinics, and movement disorder clinics. Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment.

What are the signs and symptoms of SCA?

The clinical signs of SCA are elicited through a neurological exam, including poorly coordinated gait, dysarthria, and the abnormal ophthalmologic manifestations outlined above. Acquired causes of ataxia must be ruled out (see Differential diagnosis below) as there may be a specific treatment available to those patients.