Physician & Research Resources

Friedreichs Ataxia Mice

Friedreichs Ataxia Transgenic Mouse Model Now Available Through The Jackson Laboratory! For more information or to place an order click: Jax Mice

References:

Al-Mahdawi S, Pinto RM, Varshney D, Lawrence L, Lowrie MB, Hughes S, Webster Z, Blake J, Cooper JM, King R, Pook MA. GAA repeat expansion mutation mouse models of Friedreich ataxia exhibit oxidative stress leading to progressive neuronal and cardiac pathology Genomics. 2006 Nov;88(5):580-90. Epub 2006 Aug 17.

Pook MA, Al-Mahdawi S, Carroll CJ, Cosse M, Puccio H, Lawrence L, Clark P, Lowrie MB, Bradley JL, Cooper JM, Koenig M, Chamberlain S. Rescue of the Friedreichs ataxia knockout mouse by human YAC transgenesis Neurogenetics. 2001 Oct;3(4):185-93.

Autopsy and Tissue Donation Program

FARA supports an autopsy and tissue donation program for research at the VA Medical Center in Albany, New York. The principal investigator, Dr. Arnulf Koeppen, is a neurologist and neuropathologist and has made significant contributions to our understanding of FA and other ataxias. He has provided insight about severity of illness and cause of death to many FA families who lost a loved son, daughter, brother, sister, wife, or husband. At the time of great sorrow, members of FA families who donated tissue have gained comfort from learning that they contributed to FA research in a meaningful and lasting way. The goal of the program is to learn as much as possible about FA and apply new knowledge to diagnosis, treatment, and clinical care of other patients with the disease.

If you have a patient or an FA family who are interested in participation in this program please contact:

Dr. Arnulf H. Koeppen
VA Medical Center
113 Holland Ave
Albany, N.Y. 12208
Tel. 518-626-6391; 518-626-6377
FAX 518-626-6369
e-mail: arnulf.koeppen@va.gov

If you are a researcher and would like to receive tissue samples for FA research, you may contact Dr. Koeppen.

Additional Resources:

The Movement Disorder Society is an international professional society invested in the research and care of patients with Movement Disorders, including Parkinsons disease, Parkinsonism, Dystonia, Chorea, Huntingtons disease, Ataxia, Tremor, Myoclonus, Startle, Tics, Tourette syndrome, Restless legs syndrome and Gait disorders.