This project is jointly funded by Action Medical Research and Action for A-T.

How are children’s lives affected now?

In children with A-T, nerve cells in part of the brain that controls balance and coordination gradually become damaged and die – causing a range of problems that usually start in early childhood and worsen over time.

“Children may initially appear clumsy or wobbly when sitting, standing and walking. As the condition progresses, they become increasingly unsteady and often need to use a wheelchair by their teenage years,“ says Professor Dineen. “They may also develop involuntary movements – including muscle spasms, sudden jolts or tremors – which can interfere with everyday activities like using a computer, eating and drinking.”

Median nerve stimulation (MNS) is a promising technique being investigated for treating unwanted movements in other conditions. A small, wristwatch-like device delivers tiny electrical pulses to a nerve in the wrist. These signals travel up to the brain, where they may influence the activity of brain circuits involved in controlling movements. 

“This painless, non-invasive technique offers the potential to reduce unwanted movements in children and young people with A-T,” says Professor Dineen.

How could this research help?

Building on promising results from a pilot study, the team will now test MNS in 20 teenagers and young people with A-T.

“Participants will be filmed while they complete a series of movement tasks – both while they are receiving MNS and when they are not,” says Professor Dineen. “By comparing these recordings, we will find out whether nerve stimulation reduces the number and severity of unwanted movements.”

The researchers will also look for features that could help predict whether an individual will respond to MNS, such as findings from brain scans or tests to measure how well nerves carry electrical signals. They will also gather feedback from participants and their families to help inform the design of a future home-based trial.