Posts by: Patricia Inacio, PhD

News

Researchers detected alterations in cerebral brain functions of patients with Friedreich’s ataxia and believe they may mitigate the impact of motor impairments of the disease. The study, “Cerebral compensation during motor function in Friedreich ataxia: ... Read more

May 16, 2017May 16, 2017

Ataxia-cause Patterns Emerge in Study but Researchers Unable to Establish Any in a Third of Cases

News

A group of brain diseases known as sporadic late-onset acute cerebellar ataxias have been attributed to lots of causes, so an American research team decided to study 80 patients to try ... Read more

May 4, 2017

Stem Cell-secreted Molecules Restore Function to Human Friedreich’s Ataxia Cells

News

Molecules released by certain stem cells may promote an increase of frataxin protein and rescue cellular function, researchers have shown in a cell model of Friedreich’s ataxia. The study, “Mesenchymal ... Read more

April 20, 2017April 24, 2017

Low Levels of Friedreich’s Ataxia-linked Protein Don’t Impact Red Blood Cells, Study Suggests

News

Low levels of frataxin protein, the hallmark of Friedreich’s ataxia, do not seem to impact the function of red blood cells, particularly the formation of hemoglobin’s core molecule, heme, ... Read more

February 9, 2017

Liver Growth Factor Partially Restores Motor Coordination in Friedreich’s Ataxia Mice

News

Liver growth factor (LGF) increased the frataxin protein and reduced oxidative stress when administered to mice with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). This approach leads to a partial restoration of motor ... Read more

January 31, 2017

Increased Iron Storage Protein in Ataxia Patients May Have Protective Role

News

Researchers found two chemical treatments that increased iron storage protein, called mitochondria ferritin, in cells from a Friedreich’s ataxia patient. These results suggest a potential treatment option for protecting ... Read more

January 19, 2017

Specific Cytokines Therapy Protected Neurons in Humanized Mouse Study

News

A cocktail of clinically approved cytokines for other diseases shows promising neuro-protective effects in a Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) humanized mouse model. The study, “Cytokine therapy-mediated neuroprotection in a Friedreich’s ataxia ... Read more

July 26, 2016July 26, 2016

Friedreich’s Ataxia Fly Model Improves Motor Performance with Metal Homeostasis

News

Improving metal homeostasis was shown to have therapeutic benefits in a fly model of human Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). The study “Metal Homeostasis Regulators Suppress FRDA Phenotypes in a Drosophila Model of ... Read more

June 23, 2016June 23, 2016

Copper Deficiency Found in Heart Tissue of Friedreich’s Ataxia Patients

News

Heart tissue from deceased patients with Friedreich’s ataxia was found to have quite low levels of copper, according to a recent study. Its authors suggest that copper supplements may benefit people with FA, although the ... Read more

April 21, 2016April 21, 2016

Research Award Granted for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Study that May Lead to Novel Therapy

News

A study titled “Oligonucleotide-based Therapy in BAC-Mouse Models of SCA14” by researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle was recognized with a Pioneer SCA (spinocerebellar ataxia) Translational Research Award for its ... Read more