We run the DRPLA Research Programme in partnership with CureDRPLA and every year we provide a research update for non-scientists. Watch the 2025 recap in which Dr Silvia Prades provides […]
Watch the 2025 DRPLA Research Update on YouTube 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 »
Scientists created a mouse model with the genetic change that causes DRPLA in people. These mice showed symptoms common of DRPLA, such as balance problems, seizures, tremors, and poor coordination.
Genetic treatment protects against DRPLA symptoms in a mouse model with DRPLA Read More »
As part of our partnership with CureDRPLA we have been building connections with the scientific and clinical community in Japan because DRPLA, a rare form of ataxia, is more prevalent
Strengthening ties with Japan’s rare disease community 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
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 »
The International Congress for Ataxia Research (ICAR) 2024 took place in London from 12th – 15th November. It was organised by Ataxia UK, the National Ataxia Foundation, the Friedreich’s Ataxia
Highlights of the International Congress for Ataxia Research 2024 Read More »
Recently, our research intern Scarlett Parr-Reid sat down with Lucie Hogger, Speech and Language Therapist at the London Ataxia Centre to talk about the speech and language therapy services offered
Ataxia UK has worked closely with the London Ataxia Centre researchers and other experts on a research study assessing the impact of specialist ataxia centres in Europe. This was part
On 12th July Ataxia UK hosted a webinar on how medicines get approved for use in the UK and how decisions are made on their funding in the NHS. The
Ataxia UK hosts an educational webinar on the UK medicines approval process Read More »
Ataxia UK started a partnership with CureDRPLA in March 2020 with the mission of advancing research for the very rare ataxia Dentatorubral-Pallidoluysian Atrophy (DRPLA) and finding potential treatments. With funding
Professor Paola Giunti is an award-winning Consultant Neurologist. She has specialised in ataxias for over 30 years, and set up the London Ataxia Centre in 2005. At the London Ataxia
Ataxia UK has a collaborative partnership with CureDRPLA, a US-based non-profit organization that funds scientific projects to advance research for the rare ataxia Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA). Both Dr Julie Greenfield
Sharing the success of the DRPLA Research Conference Read More »
Dr Julie Greenfield, Ataxia UK’s Head of Research, interviewed by Junko Shiozawa, who is @curedrpla’s Advisory Board Member, and her daughter has DRPLA. Check out Junko’s channel: @CureDiseaseKuriChannel Camera
Interview with Junko Shiozawa Read More »
The optimal clinical pathway sets out what good treatment, care and support looks like for people with neurological conditions, from those experiencing the first symptoms, to those that have lived
Optimal clinical pathway for people in England with rare neurological conditions Read More »
Article written by Dr Silvia Prades – DRPLA Research Manager On February 22nd, I organised a meet up for families affected by DRPLA who are based in Wales. I travelled
Successful meet up in Cardiff with DRPLA families Read More »
DRPLA Research Manager, Dr Silvia Prades, interviews Dr Hector Garcia-Moreno and Ola Volhin about the DRPLA Natural History and Biomarkers Study. Ataxia UK and CureDRPLA are coordinating this study and
Rare neurological conditions, such as ataxia, often cause problems with balance and coordination, which can limit physical activity. Interventions aimed at improving levels of physical activity are often recommended, for
Measuring physical activity in trials Read More »
Last year, we publicised two surveys from the British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) and the James Lind Alliance (JLA). The aim of these surveys was to identify research priorities for
Top Ten UK research priorities for interventions in childhood neurological conditions Read More »
Ataxia UK and CureDRPLA are coordinating the DRPLA Natural History and Biomarker Study for this very rare form of ataxia. The funding for the study is provided by CureDRPLA. This
The DRPLA Natural History and Biomarkers Study is now recruiting participants Read More »
On May 11th, CureDRPLA hosted the first-ever conference on Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) research, in Boston (USA). Ataxia UK has a collaborative relationship with CureDRPLA and we are working together to
2022 CureDRPLA Research Conference Read More »
In January 2022, researchers at UCL/UCLH, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Ataxia UK and Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), published a paper on the attitudes of people with ataxia towards clinical
Paper published on the attitudes of people with ataxia towards clinical trials Read More »
An article published in the Lancet Neurology showed that whole genome sequencing (WGS) can detect common inherited neurological disorders, including some ataxias. Genetic testing can be a slow process, with
A simple DNA test can detect common neurological disorders Read More »
In the clinic, assessment of cerebellar ataxias has been largely confined to clinical rating scales (e.g. Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia -SARA-), gait laboratories, imaging of the brain,
Development and Validation of a Patient-Reported Questionnaire of Ataxia Progression Read More »
Ataxia UK, along with Ataxia Global Initiative and National Ataxia Foundation, recently partnered with Critical Path Institute (C-Path) for the launch of their Critical Path to Therapeutics for the Ataxias
Ataxia UK and the US Foundation CureDRPLA are the lead organisations of the CureDRPLA Global Patient Registry. This Registry aims to collect data on as many Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) patients
DRPLA Patient Registry Read More »
On September 25, 2020 the National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) and CureDRPLA organised the Externally-Led Patient Focus Drug Development (EL-PFDD) meeting. You can watch the recording here. The EL-PFDD meeting provided a unique opportunity for the
A new government strategy to improve the lives of people living with rare diseases, across the 4 nations of the United Kingdom, has now been launched. The UK Rare Disease Framework, following on from the previous Rare
UK Rare Disease Framework launched to improve diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases Read More »
Researchers in Japan have shown that a compound called Arginine is able to prevent harmful protein clumps from forming in cell models of polyglutamine disorders.
Arginine shows promise in a number of different ataxias Read More »
Dr Marta Olejniczak and her colleagues have used a genetic tool to silence the expression of mutated genes containing expanded CAG repeats in patient-derived cell lines of various ataxias.
Genetic approach to treat many spinocerebellar ataxias Read More »
