Health Library Ataxia TelangiectasiaFrom Healthwise

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Ataxia Telangiectasia is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

• AT
• Cerebello-Oculocutaneous Telangiectasia
• Immunodeficiency with Ataxia Telangiectasia
• Louis-Bar Syndrome

• None

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is a complex genetic neurodegenerative disorder that may become apparent during infancy or early childhood. The disorder is characterized by progressively impaired coordination of voluntary movements (ataxia); the development of reddish lesions of the skin and mucous membranes due to permanent widening of groups of blood vessels (telangiectasia); and impaired functioning of the immune system (i.e., cellular and humoral immunodeficiency), resulting in increased susceptibility to upper and lower respiratory infections (sinopulmonary infections). Individuals with AT also have an increased risk of developing certain malignancies, particularly of the lymphatic system (lymphomas), the blood-forming organs (e.g., leukemia), and the brain.

In those with AT, progressive ataxia typically develops during infancy and may initially be characterized by abnormal swaying of the head and trunk. As the disease progresses, the condition leads to an inability to walk (ambulation) by late childhood or adolescence. Ataxia is often accompanied by difficulty speaking (dysarthria); drooling; and an impaired ability to coordinate certain eye movements (oculomotor apraxia), including the occurrence of involuntary, rapid, rhythmic motions (oscillations) of the eyes while attempting to focus upon certain objects (fixation nystagmus). Affected children may also develop an unusually stooped posture and irregular, rapid, jerky movements that may occur in association with relatively slow, writhing motions (choreoathetosis). In addition, telangiectasias may develop by mid-childhood, often appearing on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the bridge of the nose, the ears, and certain regions of the extremities, as well as the mucous membranes of the eyes (conjunctiva).

AT is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. The disorder is caused by changes (mutations) of a gene known as ATM (for "AT mutated") that has been mapped to the long arm (q) of chromosome 11 (11q22.3). The ATM gene controls (encodes for) the production of an enzyme that plays a role in regulating cell division following DNA damage.

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

National Ataxia Foundation
2600 Fernbrook Lane
Suite 119
Minneapolis, MN 55447-4752
USA
Tel: 7635530020
Fax: 7635530167
Email: naf@ataxia.org
Internet: http://www.ataxia.org

A-T Children's Project (Ataxia Telangiectasia Children's Project)
668 South Military Trail
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
USA
Tel: 9544816611
Fax: 9547251153
Tel: 8005435728
Email: info@atcp.org
Internet: http://www.atcp.org

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
USA
Tel: 4043203333
Tel: 8002272345
Internet: http://www.cancer.org

American Diabetes Association
National Call Center
1701 N. Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
Tel: (703)549-1500
Fax: (703)549-6995
Tel: (800)342-2383
Email: askADA@diabetes.org
Internet: http://www.diabetes.org

A-T Medical Research Foundation
5241 Round Meadow Rd
Hidden Hills, CA 91301
USA
Tel: 8187048146
Fax: 8187038310
Email: gsmith@gspartners.com

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  8/17/2007
Copyright  1987, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.