Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is a neurological condition characterized by progressive problems with movement. Initial symptoms include problems with coordination and balance (ataxia). Other early signs and symptoms include speech difficulties (dysarthria), involuntary eye movements (nystagmus), and double vision. Over time, individuals with SCA6 may develop loss of coordination in their arms, tremors, and uncontrolled muscle tensing (dystonia). The signs and symptoms of SCA6 typically begin in a person's forties or fifties. Most people with this disorder require wheelchair assistance by the time they are in their sixties. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 is caused by mutations in the CACNA1A gene. This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.