Overview
Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis is an extremely rare inherited neurological condition that affects both movement and the eyes. The disease combines two main problems: spastic ataxia, which means a mix of muscle stiffness (spasticity) and poor coordination of movements (ataxia), and congenital miosis, which means the pupils of the eyes are abnormally small from birth and do not widen properly in dim light. People with this condition typically have difficulty walking and coordinating their movements due to problems in the brain and spinal cord, particularly the cerebellum (the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination) and the nerve pathways that control muscle tone. The small pupils can affect vision, especially in low-light conditions. This condition has been described in only a very small number of families in the medical literature, making it one of the rarest forms of hereditary ataxia. Because so few cases have been reported, treatment is mainly supportive and focused on managing symptoms. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and assistive devices may help with mobility and daily functioning. There is currently no cure or disease-specific treatment available.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Muscle stiffness in the legs (spasticity)Poor coordination and balance (ataxia)Difficulty walking or unsteady gaitAbnormally small pupils from birthReduced ability of pupils to widen in dim lightDifficulty seeing in low-light conditionsIncreased muscle reflexesProgressive worsening of movement difficultiesClumsiness or frequent trippingDifficulty with fine motor tasks like writing or buttoning clothes
Clinical phenotype terms (8)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal dominant
Passed on from just one parent; each child has about a 50% chance of inheriting it
Childhood
Begins in childhood, roughly ages 1 to 12
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis
No recent news articles for Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How quickly is this condition likely to progress in my case or my child's case?,What types of physical therapy are most helpful for this condition?,Are there medications that can help with the muscle stiffness?,Should we pursue genetic testing, and what might it tell us?,What can be done to help with the small pupils and vision in low light?,Are there any clinical trials or research studies we could participate in?,What school or workplace accommodations should we request?
Common questions about Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis
What is Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis?
Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis is an extremely rare inherited neurological condition that affects both movement and the eyes. The disease combines two main problems: spastic ataxia, which means a mix of muscle stiffness (spasticity) and poor coordination of movements (ataxia), and congenital miosis, which means the pupils of the eyes are abnormally small from birth and do not widen properly in dim light. People with this condition typically have difficulty walking and coordinating their movements due to problems in the brain and spinal cord, particularly the cerebellum (the part of the
How is Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis inherited?
Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis follows a autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis typically begin?
Typical onset of Spastic ataxia with congenital miosis is childhood. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.