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Disease Profile

Spinocerebellar ataxia 8

Prevalence
Prevalence estimates on Rare Medical Network websites are calculated based on data available from numerous sources, including US and European government statistics, the NIH, Orphanet, and published epidemiologic studies. Rare disease population data is recognized to be highly variable, and based on a wide variety of source data and methodologies, so the prevalence data on this site should be assumed to be estimated and cannot be considered to be absolutely correct.

Unknown

US Estimated

Europe Estimated

Age of onset

Adult

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ICD-10

G11.2

Inheritance

Autosomal dominant A pathogenic variant in only one gene copy in each cell is sufficient to cause an autosomal dominant disease.

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Autosomal recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of each gene of the chromosome are needed to cause an autosomal recessive disease and observe the mutant phenotype.

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X-linked
dominant X-linked dominant inheritance, sometimes referred to as X-linked dominance, is a mode of genetic inheritance by which a dominant gene is carried on the X chromosome.

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X-linked
recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of a gene on the X chromosome cause an X-linked recessive disorder.

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Mitochondrial or multigenic Mitochondrial genetic disorders can be caused by changes (mutations) in either the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that lead to dysfunction of the mitochondria and inadequate production of energy.

Multigenic or multifactor Inheritance involving many factors, of which at least one is genetic but none is of overwhelming importance, as in the causation of a disease by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

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Not applicable

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Other names (AKA)

SCA8; Spinocerebellar ataxia type 8

Categories

Congenital and Genetic Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Summary

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) is an inherited neurodegenerative condition characterized by slowly progressive ataxia (problems with movement, balance, and coordination). This condition typically occurs in adulthood and usually progresses over decades. Common initial symptoms include dysarthria, slow speech, and trouble walking. Some affected individuals experience nystagmus and other abnormal eye movements. Life span is typically not shortened. This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, although not all individuals with abnormalities in the disease-causing gene will develop the disease (called reduced penetrance).[1][2]

Symptoms

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Bradykinesia
Slow movements
Slowness of movements

[ more ]

0002067
Cerebellar atrophy
Degeneration of cerebellum
0001272
Cerebellar vermis atrophy
0006855
Dystonia
0001332
Gait ataxia
Inability to coordinate movements when walking
0002066
Hyperreflexia
Increased reflexes
0001347
Impotence
Difficulty getting a full erection
Difficulty getting an erection

[ more ]

0000802
Limb ataxia
0002070
Nystagmus
Involuntary, rapid, rhythmic eye movements
0000639
Postural instability
Balance impairment
0002172
Rigidity
Muscle rigidity
0002063
Spastic dysarthria
0002464
Unsteady gait
Unsteady walk
0002317
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Aspiration
0002835
Depressivity
Depression
0000716
Dysphagia
Poor swallowing
Swallowing difficulties
Swallowing difficulty

[ more ]

0002015
Facial grimacing
0000273
Hypoplasia of the pons
0012110
Impaired smooth pursuit
0007772
Impaired vibratory sensation
Decreased vibration sense
Decreased vibratory sense
Diminished vibratory sense
Impaired vibratory sense

[ more ]

0002495
Sensory neuropathy
Damage to nerves that sense feeling
0000763
Urinary incontinence
Loss of bladder control
0000020
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Abnormal pyramidal sign
0007256
Autosomal dominant inheritance
0000006
Dysarthria
Difficulty articulating speech
0001260
Dysmetric saccades
Uncoordinated eye movement
0000641
Incoordination
Difficulties in coordination
Incoordination of limb movements
Limb incoordination

[ more ]

0002311
Morphological abnormality of the pyramidal tract
0002062
Peripheral neuropathy
0009830
Progressive cerebellar ataxia
0002073
Slow saccadic eye movements
Slow eye movements
0000514
Spasticity
Involuntary muscle stiffness, contraction, or spasm
0001257
Tremor
0001337

Diagnosis

Making a diagnosis for a genetic or rare disease can often be challenging. Healthcare professionals typically look at a person’s medical history, symptoms, physical exam, and laboratory test results in order to make a diagnosis. The following resources provide information relating to diagnosis and testing for this condition. If you have questions about getting a diagnosis, you should contact a healthcare professional.

Testing Resources

  • The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxia: Making an Informed Choice about Genetic Testing is a booklet providing information about spinocerebellar ataxia and is available as a PDF document on the University of Washington Medical Center Web site. Click on the title above to view this resource.

    Organizations

    Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

    Organizations Supporting this Disease

      Learn more

      These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

      Where to Start

        In-Depth Information

        • GeneReviews provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions.
        • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
        • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
          The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM)
          The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM)
        • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
        • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Spinocerebellar ataxia 8. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

          References

          1. Ikeda Y, Dalton JC, Day JW & Ranum LPW. Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 8. GeneReviews. February 2007; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1268/. Accessed 10/12/2011.
          2. Yoshio Ikeda, Joline C Dalton, John W Day, Laura PW Ranum. Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 8. GeneReviews. February 7, 2007; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1268/. Accessed 1/2/2011.
          3. Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 8 (SCA8). National Ataxia Foundation. https://www.ataxia.org/pdf/NAF%20Web%20Content%20Publication%20SCA8.pdf. Accessed 1/2/2011.

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