FA is...

Patients featured are paid spokespersons for Biogen.

Knowledge is power—learn all you can about Friedreich ataxia (FA)

FA is a rare, life-shortening genetic condition that progressively damages the nervous system and causes loss of muscle control over time. Get more details about FA as you start your journey.

Everyone with FA will progress over time

Eventually, FA symptoms may significantly impact your ability to perform everyday activities as physical abilities become more impaired. Everyone's journey with FA is different, and individual experiences may vary.

FA symptoms become apparent: falls, clumsiness, feeling unbalanced, loss of sensation, tiredness
FA symptoms become apparent:

falls, clumsiness, feeling unbalanced, loss of sensation, tiredness

Hands and arms become less coordinated, affecting the ability to get dressed or brush teeth
Hands and arms

become less coordinated, affecting the ability to get dressed or brush teeth

Lower limb coordination continues to decline
Lower limb coordination

continues to decline

Speech starts to sound slurred
Speech

starts to sound slurred

Disease progression over time

Later in the course of the disease, people with FA can become more incapacitated and unable to perform many activities of daily living.  

For some, this may include difficulty bathing, getting dressed, or even sitting upright. In serious cases of FA, weakened muscles in the throat can make it difficult to swallow solid food. 

FA and mobility

As FA progresses, people may start using assistive devices to help them get around and perform their daily activities. Over time, people may progress from using a cane to different mobility aids such as a walker, rollator (wheeled walker), and/or wheelchair. 

On average, people with FA will need to use a wheelchair about 10 to 15 years after their first symptoms show up. As muscle control continues to decline, people with FA may find that electric wheelchairs are the best option for mobility.

FA Progression Through the Years
Profile of a woman with Friedreich ataxia sitting.
Profile of a woman with Friedreich ataxia sitting.
Profile of a woman with Friedreich ataxia sitting.

Certain other conditions are also more common among people with FA

Diabetes

Diabetes affects many people with FA—up to around 30%, according to some estimates.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is common among those with FA—diagnosis of scoliosis often coincides with the diagnosis of FA and as many as half of early-onset FA patients may eventually need surgery to help correct it.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is the most serious condition associated with FA. Nearly 70% of patients with FA in a large study were found to have evidence of cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy is a thickening of the walls in the heart. Over time, this makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. Cardiac complications are the leading cause of premature death among people with FA.