What Is Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia Type 2?
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
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Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia Type 2
Ataxia-Oculomotor Apraxia Type 2; AOA2; Spinocerebellar Ataxia with Axonal Neuropathy Type 2; SCAN2
Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2) is a rare condition that affects muscle control and coordination. Other signs and symptoms may include sensorimotor neuropathy, mild cognitive impairment and less commonly, movement disorders. Explore symptoms, causes, and genetics of this rare disease.
Oculomotor nerve tractography
Image by Yeh, F. C., Panesar, S., Fernandes, D., Meola, A., Yoshino, M., Fernandez-Miranda, J. C., ... & Verstynen, T. (2018). Population-averaged atlas of the macroscale human structural connectome and its network topology. NeuroImage, 178, 57-68./Wikimedia
Muscle and Nerve of Human Eye
Image by TheVisualMD
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Mutation
Image by National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Ideogram of human chromosome 9
Image by Office of Biological and Environmental Research of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, the Biological and Environmental Research Information System, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The SETX gene provides instructions for making a protein called senataxin. Senataxin is produced in a wide range of tissues, including the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. Based on the structure of senataxin, researchers believe that it is one of a class of proteins called helicases, which attach to particular regions of DNA or RNA (a chemical cousin of DNA) and temporarily unwind the strands of the molecule. By unwinding the strands, helicases allow other proteins to reach the strands to perform their function. Although senataxin's role in cells is not completely understood, it appears to be involved in the production of proteins from genes (transcription), the processing of RNA molecules, and the repair of damaged DNA.
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At least 125 mutations in the SETX gene have been found to cause ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2. This condition is characterized by difficulty coordinating movements (ataxia) and problems with side-to-side movements of the eyes (oculomotor apraxia). Most mutations replace single protein building blocks (amino acids) in senataxin. The mutations associated with ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 are thought to disrupt the helicase function of senataxin. Although it is unclear how impaired senataxin function leads to the signs and symptoms of ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2, some researchers suggest that it disrupts DNA repair and can lead to an accumulation of DNA damage in cells. This accumulation can lead to cell death and seems particularly harmful to cells in the part of the brain involved in coordinating movements (the cerebellum), causing the characteristic movement problems of ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2.
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Source: MedlinePlus Genetics
autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance
Image by Thomas Shafee and TheVisualMD
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Human Brain Revealing Optic Pathway
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Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Genetic testing
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Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Genetic Testing
Also called: DNA Testing, Mutation Screening, Genetic Test
Genetic testing is a type of test that analyze your cells or tissue to look for any changes in your DNA. Genetic tests may be used to identify increased risks of health problems, to choose treatments, or to assess responses to treatments.
Treatment and Prognosis varies depending on the type of condition and the age of symptom onset.
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Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
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