What is Friedreich’s Ataxia?*
- An inherited disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system.
- Named after the physician Nicholaus Friedreich, who first described the condition in the 1860s.
- “Ataxia” refers to coordination problems such as clumsy or awkward movements and unsteadiness, occurs in many different diseases and conditions.
- The ataxia of Friedreich’s ataxia results from the degeneration of nerve tissue in the spinal cord and of nerves that control muscle movement in the arms and legs.
- Friedreich’s ataxia, although rare, is the most prevalent inherited ataxia, affecting about one in every 50,000 people in the United States. Males and females are affected equally.
*Retrieved From National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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NEW EVENTS & INFORMATION
Crowdrise Holiday Campaign
Help Jumpin’ for Jazz raise funds to find a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia Click Here
Emily talks about her life with FA – September 2018Emily is about to graduate from college and she lives with FA every day. Hear her story Click Here |
Dr. Payne Video – August 2018Dr. Payne talks about FA and the growing momentum toward effective treatment Click Here |
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