What is Friedreich's ataxia?
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 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.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 5 and 15 but can, on rare occasions, appear as early as 18 months or as late as 50 years of age. The first symptom to appear is usually difficulty in walking, or gait ataxia. The ataxia gradually worsens and slowly spreads to the arms and then the trunk. Foot deformities such as clubfoot, flexion (involuntary bending) of the toes, hammer toes, or foot inversion (turning inward) may be early signs. Over time, muscles begin to weaken and waste away, especially in the feet, lower legs, and hands, and deformities develop. Other symptoms include loss of tendon reflexes, especially in the knees and ankles. There is often a gradual loss of sensation in the extremities, which may spread to other parts of the body. Dysarthria (slowness and slurring of speech) develops, and the person is easily fatigued. Rapid, rhythmic, involuntary movements of the eye (nystagmus) are common. Most people with Friedreich's ataxia develop scoliosis (a curving of the spine to one side), which, if severe, may impair breathing.
Other symptoms that may occur include chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. These symptoms are the result of various forms of heart disease that often accompany Friedreich's ataxia, such as cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart), myocardial fibrosis (formation of fiber-like material in the muscles of the heart), and cardiac failure. Heart rhythm abnormalities such as tachycardia (fast heart rate) and heart block (impaired conduction of cardiac impulses within the heart) are also common. About 20 percent of people with Friedreich's ataxia develop carbohydrate intolerance and 10 percent develop diabetes mellitus. Some people lose hearing or eyesight.
The rate of progression varies from person to person. Generally, within 10 to 20 years after the appearance of the first symptoms, the person is confined to a wheelchair, and in later stages of the disease individuals become completely incapacitated. Life expectancy may be affected, and many people with Friedreich's ataxia die in adulthood from the associated heart disease, the most common cause of death. However, some people with less severe symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia live much longer, sometimes into their sixties or seventies.
How is Friedreich's ataxia diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose Friedreich's ataxia by performing a careful clinical examination, which includes a medical history and a thorough physical examination. Tests that may be performed include:
electromyogram (EMG), which measures the electrical activity of muscle cells,
nerve conduction studies, which measure the speed with which nerves transmit impulses,
electrocardiogram (EKG), which gives a graphic presentation of the electrical activity or beat pattern of the heart,
echocardiogram, which records the position and motion of the heart muscle,
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan, which provides a picture of the brain and spinal cord,
spinal tap to evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid,
blood and urine tests to check for elevated glucose levels, and
genetic testing to identify the affected gene.
Can Friedreich's ataxia be cured or treated?
As with many degenerative diseases of the nervous system, there is currently no cure or effective treatment for Friedreich's ataxia. However, many of the symptoms and accompanying complications can be treated to help patients maintain optimal functioning as long as possible. Diabetes, if present, can be treated with diet and medications such as insulin, and some of the heart problems can be treated with medication as well. Orthopedic problems such as foot deformities and scoliosis can be treated with braces or surgery. Physical therapy may prolong use of the arms and legs. Scientists hope that recent advances in understanding the genetics of Friedreich's ataxia may lead to breakthroughs in treatment.
What research is being done?
Within the Federal government the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has primary responsibility for sponsoring research on neurological disorders. As part of this mission, the NINDS conducts research on Friedreich's ataxia and other forms of inherited ataxias at its facilities at the NIH and supports additional studies at medical centers throughout the United States.
Researchers are optimistic that they will soon be closer to understanding the causes of the disease, which eventually will help scientists develop effective treatments and prevention strategies for Friedreich's ataxia.
The studies using yeast proteins with a chemical structure similar to human frataxin (see section on "How is Friedreich's ataxia inherited?") led to further studies in mice and humans. These studies revealed that frataxin — like the yeast protein — is a mitochondrial protein that should normally be present in the nervous system, the heart, and the pancreas. Yet in patients with the disease, the amount of frataxin in affected cells of these tissues is severely reduced. Further evidence that frataxin may function similarly to the yeast protein was the finding of abnormally high levels of iron in the heart tissue of people with Friedreich's ataxia. It is believed that the nervous system, heart, and pancreas may be particularly susceptible to damage from free radicals (produced when the excess iron reacts with oxygen) because once certain cells in these tissues are destroyed by free radicals they cannot be replaced. Nerve and muscle cells also have metabolic needs that may make them particularly vulnerable to free radical damage. Free radicals have been implicated in other degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
Based upon this information, scientists and physicians have tried to reduce the levels of free radicals, also called oxidants, using treatment with “antioxidants.” Several clinical studies in Europe suggest that antioxidants like coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, and idebenone may offer patients some limited benefit. There are currently clinical trials in the United States and Europe to evaluate the effectiveness of idebenone in patients with Friedreich’s ataxia. There is also a clinical trial ongoing in France to examine the efficacy of selectively removing excess iron from the mitochondria. Several other compounds may be brought to clinical trials in the near future. To check for current trials, go to the following website: www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Since the disease is caused by a reduction in fraxatin levels, many scientists are exploring ways to increase those levels through drug treatments, genetic engineering, and protein delivery systems.
Armed with what they currently know about frataxin and Friedreich's ataxia, scientists are working to better define frataxin's role, clarify how defects in iron metabolism may be involved in the disease process, and explore new therapeutic approaches for the disease. The discovery by NINDS-supported researchers of the genetic mutation that causes Friedreich's ataxia has added new impetus to research efforts on this disease.
**Above excerpts taken from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Website
---------
A Letter from the Parrish Family:
On April 25th (2009), the Parrish family will host their sixth annual MDA/ SAM "Parrish family” Walk-a-thon and it will again be held at the New Philadelphia High School gymnasium. This event raises awareness and funds to benefit research with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Seek a Miracle. Helping people with neuromuscular diseases and our quest, hope of a cure one day in the near future, for Friedreich’s Ataxia. Although economic times are tough, we know many will still want to help and need tax deductions!
Lindsey was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) in 2003 and we have hosted with the Muscular Dystrophy Association many fundraisers, including our annual walk-a-thon and raised more than $125,000.00. We are VERY excited to improve our results from the previous years because we are finally seeing results from our earlier fundraising! There is several clinical trials in progress that may help slow down Lindsey’s progression or may even reverse it, strengthening weaknesses within her disorder. Helping her and many others, who are not as fortunate to still be as mobile and we are very hopeful! Lindsey’s progression is noticeable but with the help of others, she does as much as any 18 year old and will soon begin college in the fall.
In April of 2008, we decided to have our other two daughters genetically tested and were given the devastating news that Emily is also affected with this debilitating disease. Emily does not show any signs of her FA and is currently in a drug trial that takes us to Philadelphia monthly and is waiting on FDA approval. All trials and research currently being funded need our help and we are hoping you will help us build a bigger and stronger event in 2009!! WE NEED YOU!!
You can also help by sharing this message with everyone you know ~ we will take any donation of sponsorship ~ BIG or SMALL ~ and from any company, group or individual!
All donations are tax deductible and are going exclusively to help fund a "cure" for Friedreich's Ataxia and the girls! Checks should be made out to MDA/SAM (Muscular Dystrophy Association/Seek A Miracle) and can be mailed to
“The Parrish Family”
393 Schoenbrunn Dr. NE
New Philadelphia, OH. 44663
By responding and donating, you are helping all those with FA and both Parrish girls ~ We all THANK YOU so much!!! If you are in Ohio, and interested in participating in the MDA/SAM “Parrish family” Walk-a-thon we would be thrilled to have you! Anyone interested in walking is welcome however only those with a minimum of $100 sponsorship will receive an exclusive commemorative t-shirt – attendance the day of the event is required to receive your t-shirt! The walk-a-thon event also consists of door prizes, refreshments and awards for top sponsorships – it’s a great family event! In past years we have had as many as 120 walkers, including 90 in 2008 with an overnight snowfall of 20 inches!
If you need additional information or have any questions - you can email us at parrish86@roadrunner.com or call @ 330-308-0699. We welcome all!! Again, thank you in advance for your help and exposure of awareness in this event!
Sincerely,
The Parrish Family
Jim, Sandy, Lindsey, Emily & Kendra
