What is ataxia-telangiectasia?
Ataxia-telangiectasia is a condition that affects a person’s coordination, balance and speech.
What causes ataxia-telangiectasia?
Ataxia-telangiectasia is hereditary and is caused by a faulty gene that results in the degeneration of the parts of the brain most commonly associated with movement and speech.
What are the symptoms of ataxia-telangiectasia?
The symptoms of ataxia-telangiectasia usually begin to show in early childhood and tend to get worse quickly. They may include:
- Difficulty walking.
- Dysarthria which involves slurred, slow and unclear speech.
- Dysphagia which is difficulty swallowing.
- Telangiectasias which are small clusters of red blood vessels in the corner of the eyes and on the cheeks.
- Unusually slow eye movements.
- A weakened immune system.
- An increased risk of cancer.
