3 February 2004 - Research project may solve the riddle of Friedreich's Ataxia

Ataxia UK, the national charity for people affected by ataxias, has launched an appeal for £60,000 to fund a three year research project at Imperial College, London into Friedreich’s ataxia. The charity hopes that the project will eventually result in a treatment for the most common form of ataxia, which is currently incurable.

Friedreich’s ataxia, an inherited condition, is caused by an abnormality in a particular gene. The abnormality causes the gene to ‘switch off’, so that it does not produce enough of the essential protein frataxin. As a result, nerve and muscle cells are attacked. Now there is evidence, which the project will test vigorously, that this gene might be switched back on again. This may in turn stop or perhaps even reverse the effects of the condition.

The ataxias are a group of rare neurological disorders. There are different types of ataxia, but their effects are very similar. The initial symptoms are usually clumsiness and loss of co-ordination but ataxia progressively affects mobility and speech and can lead to total physical dependency. There is currently no treatment, and little can be done to relieve symptoms. Ataxia is life-limiting in every way. People with ataxia become progressively disabled and dependent on carers and or other family members for their most basic personal needs.

Dr Julie Greenfield, Research Projects Manager for Ataxia UK commented:
“We are only at the beginning stages of this long term research project and it would be quite wrong to suggest that a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia is imminent. However, whilst there are no guarantees in research, we are cautiously optimistic that this frataxin project could lead to exciting developments in treating what is currently an incurable condition.”

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3 February 2004 - Research project may solve the riddle of Friedreich's Ataxia