Overview
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37 (SCA37) is a rare inherited neurological disorder that primarily affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement and balance. It belongs to a large family of diseases called spinocerebellar ataxias, which share the common feature of progressive difficulty with coordination. People with SCA37 typically first notice problems with balance and walking that slowly get worse over time. A distinctive early feature of this condition is an abnormal eye movement pattern, where the eyes drift downward involuntarily, known as downbeat nystagmus. Over time, individuals may develop slurred speech, difficulty with fine motor tasks like writing or buttoning clothes, and unsteady gait. Some patients also experience altered sensation or hearing changes. The disease tends to progress slowly, and many people remain able to walk for years after symptoms begin, though they may eventually need assistive devices. Currently, there is no cure for SCA37. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life through physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and supportive care. Research is ongoing to better understand the disease and develop targeted therapies.
Key symptoms:
Progressive difficulty with balance and walkingDownbeat nystagmus (eyes drifting downward involuntarily)Slurred or slow speechClumsiness and poor coordination of hand movementsUnsteady gaitDifficulty with fine motor tasks like writingAbnormal eye movementsAltered sensation in the limbsHearing changes or hearing lossDifficulty swallowing in later stagesLimb tremorMuscle stiffness or spasticity
Clinical phenotype terms (16)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal dominant
Passed on from just one parent; each child has about a 50% chance of inheriting it
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37.
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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 Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37.
Community
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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 disease likely to progress in my case?,Are there any medications that could help with my eye movement problems or other symptoms?,What types of therapy (physical, occupational, speech) do you recommend, and how often?,Should my family members be tested for this genetic change?,Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could participate in?,What should I watch for that would indicate the disease is getting worse?,Can you refer me to a specialized ataxia center or support group?
Common questions about Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37
What is Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37?
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37 (SCA37) is a rare inherited neurological disorder that primarily affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement and balance. It belongs to a large family of diseases called spinocerebellar ataxias, which share the common feature of progressive difficulty with coordination. People with SCA37 typically first notice problems with balance and walking that slowly get worse over time. A distinctive early feature of this condition is an abnormal eye movement pattern, where the eyes drift downward involuntarily, known as downbeat nys
How is Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37 inherited?
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37 follows a autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37 typically begin?
Typical onset of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37 is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37?
15 specialists and care centers treating Spinocerebellar ataxia type 37 are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.