Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias are a group of inherited neurological disorders with progressive balance and gait difficulties. In these disorders, cerebellar ataxia is often accompanied by eye movement abnormalities and peripheral nervous system involvement. A unifying mechanism for disease pathogenesis that is common to all the recessive ataxias likely does not exist. Nevertheless, some pathophysiological pathways are common to several autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias. Specific gene defects in each disorder are summarized in the chapter. The most common recessively inherited ataxias are Friedreich ataxia and Ataxia telangiectasia. A recessive ataxia must be considered for any individual with progressive cerebellar ataxia with onset less than 30 years. The treatment is primarily supportive, but some recessive ataxias have specific treatment.
Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias
