Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: response to levodopa infusion in two cases

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA-ATXN3) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia and other variable findings, including Parkinsonian syndrome. There is no disease-modifying treatment for SCA-ATXN3, so symptom-based management predominates. We aim to illustrate the disease's phenotypic variability and describe the effectiveness of advanced therapies in Parkinsonian symptoms.

We present two patients with a predominant levodopa-responsive Parkinsonian phenotype, combined with cerebellar features. We achieved an optimal control of Parkinsonian symptoms with a carbidopa-levodopa intestinal gel infusion pump.

We should suspect an SCA-ATXN3 etiology in patients with syndromes resembling an early-onset Parkinson disease with an autosomal dominant pattern. These patients could benefit from anti-Parkinsonian treatments, including levodopa intestinal gel infusion pump.