Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a distinct form of hereditary early-onset spastic ataxia related to progressive degeneration of the cerebellum and spinal cord. ARSACS is clinically characterized by spasticity, ataxia, polyneuropathy, retinal changes, and in some cases late cognitive decline. Patients demonstrate an unsteady gait and experience frequent falls as they learn to walk. ARSACS is caused by mutations in the SACS gene, encoding a large protein sacsin. A recent study demonstrated that sacsin may interact with the Hsp70 chaperone machinery, which is an important component of the cellular response towards aggregation prone mutant proteins that are associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
