Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy
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Learn About Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy

What is the definition of Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy?
Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) is a term used for a progressive condition characterized by the degeneration of nerve cells (neurons) in specific areas of the brain. OPCA can be viewed as a finding of several diseases, and indicates a form of progressive ataxia (abnormal or uncontrolled movements) distinguished by characteristic findings in brain imaging studies and at autopsy (pontine flattening and cerebellar atrophy). It was traditionally divided in hereditary or genetic OPCA and sporadic OPCA. Currently, most of the major forms of hereditary OPCA refer to disorders that overlap with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), which is a neurological disorder characterized by ataxia. The sporadic forms are considered now to be a form of multiple system atrophy (MSA). OPCA may also occur in people with prion disorders and inherited metabolic diseases. The main symptom is clumsiness that slowly gets worse. Other symptoms may include problems with balance; speech or swallowing problems; difficulty walking; abnormal eye movements; muscle spasms; and neuropathy. Whether OPCA is inherited (and the inheritance pattern) depends on the underlying cause, if known.
What are the alternative names for Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy?
  • Olivopontocerebellar atrophy
  • OPCA
Who are the top Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy Local Doctors?
Elite in Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy
Neurology
Elite in Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy
Neurology
259 E Erie St Ste 1900, Lavin Family Pavilion, 
Chicago, IL 
Experience:
37+ years
Languages Spoken:
English

Puneet Opal is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He has been practicing medicine for over 37 years. Dr. Opal is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy. He is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1, Giant Axonal Neuropathy, Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy, and Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Dr. Opal is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology - Neurology (Certified).

Elite in Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy
Elite in Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy

East Ann Arbor Health & Geriatrics Center

4260 Plymouth Rd, Level 1, 
Ann Arbor, MI 
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Henry L. Paulson, M.D., Ph.D., is the Lucile Groff Professor of Neurology for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan. Dr. Paulson joined the U-M faculty in 2007, and he currently directs the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center (MADC) and co-direct the U-M Protein Folding Diseases Initiative.Dr. Paulson received his medical degree and doctorate in Cell Biology from Yale University in 1990. He then completed a neurology residency and neurogenetics/movement disorders fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1997, he joined the Neurology faculty at the University of Iowa, where he remained until 2007.Dr. Paulson's research and clinical interests concern the causes and treatment of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on polyglutamine diseases, Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. In 1997, his lab described abnormal protein aggregates in the polyglutamine diseases, which now are recognized as a pathological hallmark in this important class of inherited diseases. Using test tube, cell-based and animal models, he has contributed to advances in the understanding of various neurodegenerative diseases. His lab also has helped pioneer the use of gene silencing methods as potential therapy for the many neurological disorders caused by toxic mutant genes.Nationally, Dr. Paulson has directed popular courses at the American Academy of Neurology meetings, serves on the scientific advisory boards of numerous disease-related national organizations, and is past Chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors at the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health.Among his awards, Dr. Paulson is an Ellison Medical Foundation New Scholar in Aging, a semifinalist for the W.M. Keck Foundation Young Scholars in Medical Research, and a recipient of the Paul Beeson Physician Faculty Scholar in Aging Award from the American Federation for Aging Research. Dr. Paulson is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy. He is also highly rated in 41 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3, Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy, Spinocerebellar Ataxia, and Drug Induced Dyskinesia. Dr. Paulson is board certified in Neurology.

 
 
 
 
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Advanced in Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy
Radiology | Neuroradiology
Advanced in Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy
Radiology | Neuroradiology

Reading Hospital

420 South 5th Avenue, 
West Reading, PA 
Languages Spoken:
English

. Dr. Chandler is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Mohr-Tranebjaerg Syndrome, Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome, X-Linked Intellectual Disability, Siderius Type, and PEHO Syndrome. Dr. Chandler is board certified in American Board Of Radiology.

What are the latest Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy Clinical Trials?
Natural History of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7)

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a disease in which people have problems with coordination, balance, speech and vision. It is caused by a change in the ATXN7 gene. A mutation in this ATXN7 gene causes changes in eye cells, which can lead to vision loss. There is no cure for SCA7 but researchers are looking for possible treatments. Researchers need more information about SCA7. They want to c...

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Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 27B Natural History Study (SCA27B-NHS)

Summary: This international, multi-center, multi-modal, and prospective observational cohort study aims to validate trial outcomes for capturing disease progression in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 27B (SCA27B), with combined multi-modal capture of clinical outcome assessments, digital-motor assessments, and molecular biomarkers.

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Published Date: May 02, 2022
Published By: Genetic and Rare Diseases Informnation Center