Friedreich Ataxia
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
Friedreich ataxia is an inherited disease that damages your nervous system. The damage affects your spinal cord and the nerves that control muscle movement in your arms and legs. Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 5 and 15. The main symptom is ataxia, which means trouble coordinating movements. Specific symptoms include:
- Difficulty walking
- Muscle weakness
- Speech problems
- Involuntary eye movements
- Scoliosis (curving of the spine to one side)
- Heart palpitations, from the heart disease which can happen along with Friedreich ataxia
People with Friedreich ataxia usually need a wheelchair 15 to 20 years after symptoms first appear. In severe cases, people become incapacitated. There is no cure. You can treat symptoms with medicines, braces, surgery, and physical therapy.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- Approved Treatment · Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance
- Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies · National Library of Medicine
- Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA): Diagnosis · Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Functional MRI (fMRI) · Radiological Society of North America
- Managing Friedreich's Ataxia · Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance
- Treatment Pipeline · Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance
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