More than 8,000 people suffer from some sort of hereditary ataxia in Spain, according to data from the Spanish Neurology society.

-Because the number of patients with ataxia represents a small percentage of the population, they are fairly unknown society diseases. The Sociedad Española de Neurología (SEN) would like to take this date to provide a social recognition for these diseases to boost research and development of effective treatments

Spain, 2011-September next September 25 commemorates the international day of Ataxia, a date which aims to promote social awareness to the heredodegenerativas Lazo. Although currently there is no official statistics, the Sociedad Española de Neurología (SEN) estimates about 8,000 people suffer from some sort of hereditary ataxia in Spain. Its relative low impact makes such diseases are nearby within the Group of rare diseases and, therefore, at present, there a deep social ignorance of them, which conditions are not allocate sufficient resources for their research and development of new treatments.

Under the term Lazo heredodegenerativas encompass over 40 types of degenerative diseases of the nervous system characterized by loss of balance and coordination in the implementation of voluntary movements. Generally are gradual, evolutionary, diseases highly disabling for which there is no curative treatment.

Usually, the hereditary ataxias are usually classified according to the way in which they are inherited: recessive autosomal (which include the spinocerebellar, also called SCA Lazo), autosomal dominant (as Friedrich’s Ataxia), ataxias associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and the linked to chromosome X.

Due to the wide variety of ataxia heredodegenerativas referred to within this term, the symptoms of these diseases is very varied, however, the lack of coordination of movements, which can affect any part of the body, is common to all of them feature. This lack of coordination can manifest itself in the lack of balance, a lack of coordination of the upper limbs (limb loss) or the deterioration in the control of eye movements or the muscles involved in speech. Although some types of ataxia are more severe than others, it is important to note that within a single type, not all patients will have the same severity of disease. In some cases the symptoms are mild and with a slower progression, while in others the disease may be more aggressive and lead to an early functional inability. But the truth is that they can start with a lack of balance small and end up being highly disabling ”, drew the DRA. Rosario Luquín Piudo, Coordinator of the Group of study of disorders of the movement of the SEN.

The Lazo heredodegenerativas tend to develop more often during childhood and adolescence, and as it happens with many degenerative diseases of the nervous system, there is currently a definitive curative treatment for these entities. However, many of the symptoms and complications associated with these diseases can be treated. In this way, although they are incurable diseases, that is can help patients to have a good quality of life as long as possible ”, ensures the DRA. Rosario Luquín Piudo.

Heredodegenerativas ataxias are very cruel diseases and, unfortunately, very neglected both by society and by the scientific community. For that reason it is so important that, for more than ten years, will commemorate this date. September 25, allows that, at least for one day, these diseases and their affected charge the visibility they deserve ”, concludes the DRA. Rosario Luquín Piudo.