National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Friedreich's Ataxia is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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National Institutes of Health
Friedreich's Ataxia
Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited disease that damages your nervous system. The damage affects your spinal cord and the nerves that control muscle movement in your arms and legs. Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 5 and 15. The main symptom is ataxia, which means trouble coordinating movements. Specific symptoms include
- Difficulty walking
- Muscle weakness
- Speech problems
- Involuntary eye movements
- Scoliosis
- Heart palpitations
People with Friedreich's ataxia usually need a wheelchair 15 to 20 years after symptoms first appear. In severe cases, people become incapacitated. There is no cure. You can treat symptoms with medicines, braces, surgery and physical therapy.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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Friedreich's Ataxia(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Also available in Spanish
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Friedreich's Ataxia
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Overviews
- Fast Facts about Friedreich's Ataxia (FA)(Muscular Dystrophy Association) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
- Frequently Asked Questions about Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA)(National Ataxia Foundation) - PDF
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Friedreich's Ataxia(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Short Summary
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Electrodiagnostic Testing(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Electromyography (EMG)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Functional MR Imaging (fMRI) -- Brain(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
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Related Issues
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Ataxias and Cerebellar/Spinocerebellar Degeneration(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Short Summary
- Also available in Spanish
- Preparing for a Visit with the Neurologist(National Ataxia Foundation) - PDF
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Ataxias and Cerebellar/Spinocerebellar Degeneration
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Financial Issues
- Compassionate Allowances(Social Security Administration)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Ataxia(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Friedreich Ataxia(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Ataxia
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Genetics
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Genetics Home Reference: Friedreich ataxia(National Library of Medicine)
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Genetics Home Reference: Friedreich ataxia
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Directories
- Find a Neurologist(American Academy of Neurology)
- Neurologists and Ataxia / Movement Disorder Clinics(National Ataxia Foundation)
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Organizations
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Patient Handouts
- Friedreich's ataxia
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
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