Table 4. [Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 14]. - GeneReviews®

Manifestation/ Concern	Treatment	Considerations/Other
Ataxia	Assessment & care by physical medicine, OT/PT	PT (balance exercises, gait training, & muscle strengthening) to maintain mobility & function OT to optimize activities of daily living Consider adaptive devices to maintain/improve independence in mobility (e.g., canes, walkers, ramps to accommodate motorized chairs), feeding (e.g., weighted eating utensils), & dressing (e.g., dressing hooks) Home adaptations to prevent falls (e.g., grab bars, raised toilet seats) Weight control & physical activity to avoid obesity & related difficulties w/mobility
Axial myoclonus	Clonazepam or valproic acid	May be effective ¹
Dysarthria	Speech & language therapy	Consider alternative communication methods as needed (e.g., writing pads, digital devices).
Dysphagia	Modify food consistency to ↓ aspiration risk.	Video esophagram may help define best consistency.
Poor weight gain	Nutrition assessment	Consider nutritional & vitamin supplementation to meet dietary needs.
Intellectual disability	Assessment by educational psychologist & IEP eval	Ensure appropriate social work involvement to connect families w/local resources, respite, & support.

Manifestation/
Concern

Treatment

Considerations/Other

Ataxia

Assessment & care by physical medicine, OT/PT

PT (balance exercises, gait training, & muscle strengthening) to maintain mobility & function
OT to optimize activities of daily living
Consider adaptive devices to maintain/improve independence in mobility (e.g., canes, walkers, ramps to accommodate motorized chairs), feeding (e.g., weighted eating utensils), & dressing (e.g., dressing hooks)
Home adaptations to prevent falls (e.g., grab bars, raised toilet seats)
Weight control & physical activity to avoid obesity & related difficulties w/mobility

Axial myoclonus

Clonazepam or valproic acid

May be effective ¹

Dysarthria

Speech & language therapy

Consider alternative communication methods as needed (e.g., writing pads, digital devices).

Dysphagia

Modify food consistency to ↓ aspiration risk.

Video esophagram may help define best consistency.

Poor weight gain

Nutrition assessment

Consider nutritional & vitamin supplementation to meet dietary needs.

Intellectual
disability

Assessment by educational psychologist & IEP eval

Ensure appropriate social work involvement to connect families w/local resources, respite, & support.

From: Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 14

GeneReviews^® [Internet].

Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, et al., editors.

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