Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of rare, progressive hereditary genetic disorders that affects the cerebellum, brain stem and spinal cord. Currently, more than 30 types of SCAs have been identified. SCAs are caused by genetic mutations, which lead to faulty […]
VICO Therapeutics Clinical Trial updates Read More »
In 2021, Ataxia UK co-funded a research project with the National Ataxia Foundation, ‘Assessment of ataxia severity under real-life conditions with SARAhome: A multicenter study in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3)’. This project was led by Dr
New paper published on the SARAhome scale to remotely assess ataxia symptoms in SCA3 Read More »
Spinocerebellar ataxia type-3 (SCA3) is one of the most common types of SCA worldwide, and is characterised by progressive decline in daily function and quality of life. Whilst cerebellar ataxia
In a project funded by Ataxia UK, Dr Andreia Teixeira-Castro (pictured left) and her team at the University of Minho, Portugal, have investigated the therapeutic potential of the anti-depressant vortioxetine
Sharing results from Ataxia UK-funded project looking at potential treatment for SCA3 Read More »
This project, led by Prof Karen Anthony at the University of Northampton and Dr Ronald Buijsen at Leiden University Medical Centre, aimed to evaluate the potential of targeting RNA to
Ataxia UK-funded project shows potential for SMaRT gene therapy to treat SCA1 Read More »
Dr Sandra Macedo-Ribiero of the University of Porto, Portugal, has shared results from her project co-funded by Ataxia UK, ‘NanoSCA3: Development of brain-targeted nanobodies for application in spinocerebellar ataxia type
Promising results from Ataxia UK co-funded project targeting SCA3 using nanobodies Read More »
This study, based at the Institute of Neurology, University College London, is led by Neuroscientist Dr Tim West, and funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Rosetrees Trust.
A new project studying neurostimulation in ataxia Read More »
Last month, on 7th November, the Ataxia UK-accredited Sheffield Ataxia Centre hosted an ataxia study day for healthcare professionals at the University of Sheffield, chaired by Consultant Neurologists Professor Marios Hadjivassiliou and Dr Priya Shanmugarajah, and organised
The Sheffield Ataxia Centre’s 2025 ataxia study day for healthcare professionals Read More »
Gluten-related disorders, also known as gluten sensitivity disorders, happen when a person’s immune system reacts to gluten, and immune cells called autoantibodies, mistakenly attack the body’s tissues. This is called an autoimmune response. There are numerous autoantibodies that can be
Researchers Prof Bart van de Warrenburg, Dr Roderick Maas and Kristofoor Leeuwenberg at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands have recently published a paper in the journal Cerebellum on
New paper published on measuring treatment effectiveness in people with SCA3 Read More »
Dr Federico Herrera, based at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, has recently shared the results of his Ataxia UK-funded project, ‘Towards a pharmacological model of Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of
Sharing results from Ataxia UK-funded project to aiming to model ARSACS in the lab Read More »
 On October 27th-28th 2025, representatives from Ataxia UK attended the first Clinical Trials in Ataxia (CTAX) conference in Amsterdam. CTAX was organised by Ataxia UK, the National Ataxia Foundation
Reflections on the 2025 Clinical Trials in Ataxias Conference Read More »
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research using human embryos, has licensed Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to diagnose a rare form of
Pre-implantation genetic testing approved to diagnose SCAN3 Read More »
In September 2024 Biohaven announced positive results from their study of troriluzole to treat SCA 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Following these results they submitted a new
FDA does not approve new drug application for troriluzole for spinocerebellar ataxias Read More »
On October 28th-29th 2025, Euro-ataxia hosted the International Ataxia Patient Conference in Amsterdam. This two-day event was attended by representatives from 18 ataxia patient organisations from Europe and North America.
Reflections on the 2025 Euro-ataxia conference Read More »
As part of the Ataxia UK 2025 virtual annual conference, Emma Foster, Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Sheffield Ataxia Centre (pictured to the left) gave a talk on managing sleep
Managing sleep and fatigue symptoms in ataxias Read More »
The pharmaceutical company Intrabio, who developed the recently FDA-approved drug AQNEURSA for people with Niemann-Pick Disease Type C, has announced their plans to begin a phase III trial of the
Intrabio to conduct phase III trial in SCA6 and Episodic Ataxia Type-2 Read More »
Ataxia UK funds research that aims to find treatments and cures for the ataxias. This would not be possible without your continued generosity in donating to support this mission. Thank
Celebrating the impact of Ataxia UK-funded research Read More »
The pharmaceutical company Arrowhead Therapeutics has begun recruitment for their phase 1 randomised placebo-controlled trial of ARO-ATXN2 in adults with SCA2. The programme is a partnership with the pharmaceutical company
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals to open UK sites in SCA2 trial Read More »
Prof Anja Lowit, Speech and Language Therapist based Strathclyde University, Glasgow, together with Prof Marios Hadjivassiliou from the Sheffield Ataxia Centre have published a new research paper looking at a
A recent paper published in the scientific journal Cell Reports Medicine has shown that a type of non-invasive brain stimulation called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) provides benefits to people
Transcranial brain stimulation can improve symptoms in SCA3 Read More »
On 7th and 8th May, Ataxia UK’s Research Communications Officer, Scarlett Parr-Reid, attended Beacon for Rare Diseases and Remedi4All’s second International Drug Repurposing Conference (IDR25), held in Amsterdam.  Drug repurposing
Reflections from the International Drug Repurposing Conference 2025 Read More »
In March, Biohaven shared that they have taken the decision to withdraw their new drug application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Troriluzole to treat adults with all Spinocerebellar
Biohaven withdraws Troriluzole application to EMA for Spinocerebellar ataxias Read More »
A study led by Dr Sarah Milne at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia, has recently been published in the journal ANNALS of Neurology. The study looked at the impact
In March, the pharmaceutical company Solaxa has announced plans to conduct a phase 3 clinical trial of their drug SLX-100 (repurposed 4-Aminopyridine) for Spinocerebellar ataxia 27b (SCA27b). The trial will
Solaxa announces plan for phase 3 clinical trial for SCA27b Read More »
On Wednesday 5th February, Ataxia UK hosted a webinar and Q&A as part of Wellbeing Week, a week from 3rd – 7th February dedicated to providing support and information to
On February 6th, the US not-for-profit biotechnology company Cure Rare Disease announced that they have been awarded 5.69 million dollars in funding from the Californian Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
Cure Rare Disease receives funding for SCA3 gene therapy trial Read More »
On January 30th 2025, the pharmaceutical company Alterity Therapeutics announced positive data from their phase 2 placebo-controlled trial in early-stage MSA. MSA is a progressive neurological condition leading to impaired
Dr. Alanna Watt is an Associate Professor in the department of biology at McGill University, Canada, and has been running the Watt Lab since 2011. The Watt Lab focuses on
In this study, researchers at the University of Southampton looked at the impact of ataxia symptoms on self-reported mental wellbeing in adults in the UK. They compared findings, collected from
Paper published on the impacts of ataxia symptoms on mental health Read More »
