5. Loss of Tendon Reflexes: The Missing Messenger of FRDA
Reflexes are our body’s automatic response to stimuli, a critical component of our nervous system. The reflex arc, a neural pathway controlling the reflex action, is a direct communication line between our peripheral and central nervous systems. Loss of tendon reflexes, a common symptom in Friedreich’s ataxia, symbolizes a significant breach in this line of communication.
Generally, the loss of tendon reflexes starts in the lower limbs and gradually progresses to the upper limbs as FRDA advances. This change often goes unnoticed until it’s pointed out in a clinical setting, but it serves as an important diagnostic marker for the condition.
The root cause of this symptom once again traces back to the nerve damage caused by FRDA. The degeneration of sensory nerve cells hampers the communication between the muscles and the spinal cord, resulting in the diminished or absent reflexes. (5)
