Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is characterized by defects in how cells regulate iron, which seem to differ by tissue and over time, according to a study using a new mouse model designed to better reflect the human disease. Specifically, animals showed an early buildup of iron in the brain and…

Since making the transition last year to primarily using a wheelchair, I am often asked why. Over the years, I’ve developed three types of “elevator pitches” to answer questions about my health and dependence on mobility aids. My answers vary depending in part on how much time I have, who’s…

In adults with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a brain communication pathway connecting the cerebellum to the motor cortex, which coordinates and controls movement, showed signs of tissue shrinkage, disrupted brain signaling, and reduced energy production on MRI scans. According to the imaging study, FA-related changes across the so-called dentato-thalamo-cortical…

This morning, I did my usual thing. I woke up, stayed in bed, took one pill, waited half an hour, and then took three more pills. During that half-hour, I meditated and caught up on the news on my phone. This routine helps me remember to take my pills. If…

Even with the windows closed, I could hear the loud rattle of my husband’s old car as he pulled into the driveway. It signaled that the time had finally come for a dreaded task we’d been putting off for a while: car shopping. While some people find the prospect of…