Can people with ataxia telangiectasia have children?

The parents of a child with ataxia-telangiectasia have a 25\% (1 in 4) chance of having another child with the condition. They have a 50\% (1 in 2) chance of having a child who carries just one copy of an ATM mutation. That child would be a carrier.

Is ataxia a rare disease?

Ataxia usually develops as a result of damage to a part of the brain that coordinates movement (cerebellum). Ataxia can develop at any age. It is typically progressive, meaning it can get worse with time. It is a rare condition, affecting about 150,000 people in the U.S.

How is ataxia-telangiectasia passed down?

Ataxia telangiectasia is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Genetic diseases are determined by two genes, one received from the father and one from the mother. Recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits the same abnormal gene for the same trait from each parent.

How fast does ataxia progress?

The age of onset and the rate of ataxia progression are perhaps the two most useful clinical features pointing to the cause. Rapid progression (within weeks to months) is characteristic of paraneoplastic spinocerebellar degeneration and sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

What are possible treatments for ataxia telangiectasia?

Although no specific treatment is available, several features of ataxia-telangiectasia are accessible to active therapy. This applies especially to infections. Correction of ATM mutations may hold promise for the future.

How does ataxia telangiectasia affect the brain?

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a rare inherited condition that affects the nervous system, the immune system and other body systems. It is characterized by the presence of: Progressive ataxia (lack of coordination) due to a defect in the cerebellum (the part of the brain involved in coordinating the movement of muscles)

Can you recover from ataxia?

In most cases, there’s no cure for ataxia and supportive treatment to control the symptoms is necessary. This may include: speech and language therapy to help with speech and swallowing problems. physiotherapy to help with movement problems.