A quantitative assessment of tremor and ataxia in FMR1 premutation carriers using CATSYS.

While an established protocol exists for diagnosing individuals with the fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a quantitative measure of tremor and ataxia is needed. Using the CATSYS system to quantify movement abnormalities, we were able to record tremor, postural sway, manual (hand and finger) coordination, and reaction time in males with the FMR1 premutation, both with and without FXTAS, and compare them to controls. We evaluated 16 males diagnosed with FXTAS, 16 males with the premutation without FXTAS (non-FXTAS), and 14 age-matched controls.