Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

Motion-capture suits can be combined with machine learning to predict how Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) will progress, a new proof-of-concept study shows. The technology may help to improve the efficiency of clinical trials in FA and other slowly progressing diseases, according to researchers. The study, “A wearable…

Abnormalities in the light-sensing cells of the eyes are detectable in carriers of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), but do not appear to affect parts of the pathways that are essential for vision so carriers do not experience visual impairment. That’s according to a study, “Retinal and Visual…

Objective measures of eye movement abnormalities are associated with measures of disease severity in Friedriech’s ataxia (FA) and other hereditary ataxias, a new study reports. “We have shown that characteristic oculomotor [eye movement] abnormalities can be quantified by the use of eye movement recordings in hereditary ataxias, and that…

Among people with Friedreich’s ataxia, thinner layers of nerve cells at the retina — the light-sensing cells located at the back of the eye — are associated with more severe disease and lower frataxin protein levels, a study reported. Results suggest that measuring the thickness of these retinal nerves…

Researchers have developed statistical models to help predict the progression of Friedreich’s ataxia using data such as age at disease onset and genetic information. Although the models are not yet accurate enough to be employed in clinical use, the researchers said this is a first step toward individualized medicine…

People with Friedreich’s ataxia show marked abnormalities in the structure of the upper spinal cord, some of which are correlated with measures of disease duration and severity, a study reports. “These results provide new insights about [the development of Friedreich’s ataxia] and indicate that spinal cord MRI may be…

A $4.8 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) will support a research project hoping to move a one-time gene editing treatment for Friedreich’s ataxia closer to clinical trials. “If successful, this approach could prevent the neurologic and cardiac complications in [Friedreich’s ataxia] and address the pressing…

In a reversal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed Reata Pharmaceuticals that it will not hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss the company’s application for omaveloxolone, its oral treatment candidate for Friedreich’s ataxia. The FDA’s reversal means that patients and the FA community will…

A mutation in the gene SIRT6 is associated with less severe neurological symptoms and visual impairment among people with Friedreich’s ataxia, a new study reports. “We have identified a [mutation] in SIRT6 as a potential modifier of [Friedreich’s ataxia] neurological features,” researchers wrote. “The less common CT genotype…

A new mouse model called YG8-800, which accurately captures key features of Friedreich’s ataxia such as neurological dysfunction and heart disease, could be a useful tool for studying genetic therapies for the disease. That’s according to the study, “A promising mouse model for Friedreich Ataxia progressing…