Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is the most frequent recessive genetic ataxia with an estimated prevalence of 1/50 000. The first symptoms appear around the age of 10 years with a progressive course and the need for an armchair 10- 15 years after the first symptoms. More rarely the disease can present with a late onset (after the age of 25) with a picture characterized by spastic paraparesis and slower progression ("LOFA" for "Late Onset Friedreich Ataxia" or VLOFA for "Very Late Appearance of Friedreich's ataxia "). AF is caused in 96% of cases by an expansion of GAAN triplets (N\> 100 repeats) located in intron 1 of the FXN gene, present on the two alleles, and, in the rest of the cases, by an associated expansion a point mutation or a deletion in trans. During molecular diagnostics, it is not uncommon to find the presence of interruptions within the GAA expansion. This results in the absence and / or the shift of peak (s) within the chromatogram. To date, only the partial correlation between the size of the expansion and the age of onset of Friedreich's ataxia has been established. In particular, very atypical forms of AF with a late onset (after the age of 25) are in particular explained by the low number of repetitions in the expansion, typically between 100 and 500 repetitions. However, the presence of an interruption could stabilize the size of the expansion and, therefore, be mainly associated with expansions of small sizes and therefore with a late onset of the disease. The objective of this study is therefore to analyse and caracterize the presence and the type of interruptions of the GAA expansions in a group of patients with FA ; this data will be correlated with the age at onset of FA.
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Interruptions and date at onset
Timeframe: 18 months