Friedreich's ataxia presenting as adult-onset spastic paraparesis

We have studied a man with an atypical form of Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), who presented at age 26 years with a 2-year history of unsteadiness and clumsiness. The predominant feature of his initial neurological examination was a spastic paraparesis, along with a mild distal weakness and hyperreflexia of the upper limbs. He also displayed limb ataxia. Frataxin GAA repeat sizes were 1040/690. This unusual FRDA presentation is not dissimilar to that of Acadian spastic ataxia. Received: January 9, 1998 / Accepted: February 19, 1998