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Living with Cerebellar hypoplasia-tapetoretinal degeneration syndrome

A rare condition with a small cerebellum, retina changes, developmental delay, and trouble with language.

Understanding Cerebellar hypoplasia-tapetoretinal degeneration syndrome

Cerebellar hypoplasia-tapetoretinal degeneration syndrome is a rare syndrome with a small cerebellum (the brain area for coordination) and changes in the retina of both eyes.

Intellectual disability can range from mild to moderate, with a strong delay in language. It shows up in infancy with early developmental delay, low muscle tone, unsteady movement that does not worsen, and eye shaking. Vision problems do not worsen over time, or retina changes may cause no symptoms.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Small cerebellum (cerebellar hypoplasia)
  • Poor coordination (ataxia)
  • Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
  • Eye shaking (nystagmus)
  • Retina color changes
  • Optic nerve damage (optic atrophy)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists, eye disease specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What eye exams does my child need?
What therapies can help with movement and language?
Could genetic testing help find the cause?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startInfant

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition, but doesn't list a specific gene or how it is inherited.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: cerebellar hypoplasia and tapetoretinal degeneration; congenital cerebellar hypoplasia co-occurrent with tapetoretinal degeneration

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Cerebellar hypoplasia-tapetoretinal degeneration syndromeGARD ID 1196 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Cerebellar hypoplasia-tapetoretinal degeneration syndrome.

Explore the Cerebellar hypoplasia-tapetoretinal degeneration syndrome blog

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  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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