Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system resulting in symptoms ranging from gait disturbance and speech problems to heart disease. It is named after the German physician Nicholaus Friedreich, who first described the condition in the 1860s. "Ataxia," which 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. The spinal cord becomes thinner and nerve cells lose some of their myelin sheath the insular covering on all nerve cells that helps conduct nerve impulses.
Friedreich's ataxia, although rare, is the most prevalent inherited ataxia, affecting about 1 in every 50,000 people in the United States. Males and females are affected equally.
Friedreich's ataxia is an autosomal recessive congenital ataxia and is caused by a mutation in Gene X25 that codes for frataxin, located on chromosome 9.
More on [ Friedreich's ataxia ]
Genetic Disorders
Rare Disorders :: Conditions and Diseases

Friedreich's Ataxia and I - The author was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia when eight years old. Read about the trials and triumphs.
Meta Description: [ A website about me, my hobbies and interests, and my disability, Friedreichs Ataxia ]
GeneClinics: Friedreich Ataxia - An in depth look at this disorder. Includes a summary, diagnosing, molecular genetic testing, clinical description and management.
Living Life with Ataxia - An informative site about living a positive life in spite of having a progressive hereditary neurological disease called Friedreich's Ataxia.
Meta Description: [ an informative site about me and living a positive life in spite of having a progressive hereditary neurological disease called Friedreich's Ataxia. ]
NINDS Friedreich's Ataxia - An information sheet the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke .
Meta Description: [ Information on Freidreich's ataxia, compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). ]
NORD: Friedreich's Ataxia - Offers the synonyms, a general discussion and further resources.
Meta Description: [ National Organization for Rare Disorders is dedicated to helping people with rare, orphan diseases. Rarediseases.org contains information on the prevention, treatment and cure of rare diseases. ]
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