Is spinocerebellar ataxia life threatening?

Is spinocerebellar ataxia life threatening?

Life expectancy is generally shorter than normal for people with hereditary ataxia, although some people can live well into their 50s, 60s or beyond. In more severe cases, the condition can be fatal in childhood or early adulthood.

How long do people with spinocerebellar ataxia live?

Signs and symptoms of the disorder typically begin in early adulthood but can appear anytime from childhood to late adulthood. People with SCA1 typically survive 10 to 20 years after symptoms first appear.

Can spinocerebellar ataxia be cured?

There is no known cure for spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). The best treatment options for SCA vary by type and often depend on the signs and symptoms present in each person. The most common symptom of SCA is ataxia (a condition in which coordination and balance are affected).

Will an MRI show ataxia?

Imaging studies. A CT scan or MRI of your brain might help determine potential causes. An MRI can sometimes show shrinkage of the cerebellum and other brain structures in people with ataxia. It may also show other treatable findings, such as a blood clot or benign tumor, that could be pressing on your cerebellum.

What is spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)?

Spinocerebellar ataxia ( SCA) is a progressive, degenerative, genetic disease with multiple types, each of which could be considered a neurological condition in its own right. An estimated 150,000 people in the United States have a diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia at any given time. SCA is hereditary, progressive, degenerative, and often fatal.

Is there a genetic test for Spinocerebellar ataxia?

Please see a list of laboratories offering the genetic test for SCA. A diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is often suspected when certain signs and symptoms, such as a poorly coordinated gait (walk) and uncoordinated hand/finger movements, are present.

Is there a cure for Spinocerebellar ataxia?

An estimated 150,000 people in the United States have a diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia at any given time. SCA is hereditary, progressive, degenerative, and often fatal. There is no known effective treatment or cure.

What are the different types of spinocerebellar degeneration?

There are three forms of spinocerebellar degeneration: Types 1, 2, 3. Symptoms begin during adulthood.) There are five typical autosomal-recessive disorders in which ataxia is a prominent feature: Friedreich ataxia, ataxia-telangiectasia, ataxia with vitamin E deficiency, ataxia with oculomotor apraxia (AOA), spastic ataxia.