AOA3

Onset of gait instability occurs in the second decade of life with dysmetria and frequent falls. The eye movement abnormalities, dysarthria, and axial dysmetria with distal muscle atrophy and weakness are present at the same time.  Distal sensory deficits with lack of sensory nerve action potentials are also present in the lower limbs.  The upper limbs are involved somewhat later but with less pronounced movement impairment.  Hyporeflexia or areflexia is common.  The disorder is progressive with loss of independent mobility by the third decade.

Brain and spinal cord MRI imaging reveals cerebellar atrophy of the folia and vermis.  Persistently elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels have been found but no hypoalbuminemia.