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Living with Spinocerebellar ataxia type 41

A rare inherited condition starting in adulthood with worsening balance and coordination problems.

Understanding Spinocerebellar ataxia type 41

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 41 (SCA41) is a rare dominantly inherited cerebellar ataxia.

It causes slowly worsening imbalance and poor coordination, with an unsteady walk, starting in adulthood. Brain MRI has shown mild shrinking of the cerebellar vermis.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Poor balance
  • Poor coordination when walking
  • Shrinking of the cerebellar vermis

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 and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in TRPC3 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    National Ataxia Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: National Ataxia Foundation
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 National Ataxia Foundation
  • 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
Can genetic testing of the TRPC3 gene confirm this diagnosis?
What therapies can help with balance?
Should family members consider genetic counseling?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startAdult
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant
GenesTRPC3

GARD lists changes in the TRPC3 gene. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning one changed copy of the gene is enough.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: sca41

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Spinocerebellar ataxia type 41GARD ID 17810 · 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 Spinocerebellar ataxia type 41.

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  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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