Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 8
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) is a subtype of type I autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA type I; see this term) characterized by cerebellar ataxia and cognitive dysfunction in almost three quarters of patients and pyramidal and sensory signs in approximately a third of patients.
Epidemiology
Prevalence is unknown. However, SCA8 accounts for approximately 3% of ADCA cases.
Clinical description
Other features include dysexecutive disorders and commonly psychiatric disorders.
Etiology
SCA8 is caused by a trinucleotide repeat on 13q21 that produces a polyglutamine expansion in the ataxin 8 gene (ATXN8). SCA8 is thought to result from RNA-mediated neurotoxicity.
Prognosis
Prognosis is relatively good. Disease usually progresses slowly over decades. Life expectancy is not significantly reduced.