Medical Dictionary

Friedreich's ataxia

noun Fried·reich's ataxia \ˈfrēd-rīks-, ˈfrēt-rīs-\

Medical Definition of FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA

:  a recessive hereditary degenerative disease affecting the spinal column, cerebellum, and medulla, marked by muscular incoordination and twitching, and usually becoming manifest in the adult

Biographical Note for FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA

Friedreich \ˈfrēt-rī\ , Nikolaus (1825–1882), German neurologist. Friedreich undertook research on muscle atrophy, muscle hypertrophy, and heart disease. He is known for two original descriptions: the condition now known as Friedreich's ataxia in 1863 and paramyoclonus multiplex in 1881.

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