MedGen

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive gait and limb ataxia with associated limb muscle weakness, absent lower limb reflexes, extensor plantar responses, dysarthria, and decreased vibratory sense and proprioception. Onset is usually in the first or second decade, before the end of puberty (summary by Delatycki et al., 2000). For a general phenotypic description of Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), see FRDA1 (229300), which is caused by mutation in the FXN gene (606829) on chromosome 9q13. [from OMIM]

An abnormality of the dorsal columns, i.e., of the dorsal portion of the gray substance of the spinal cord. The dorsal column consists of the fasciculus gracilis and fasciculus cuneatus and itself is part of the dorsal funiculus. [from HPO]