FGF14 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Members of this family possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF14 is probably involved in nervous system development and function. Defects in FGF14 are the cause of spinocerebellar ataxia type 27 (SCA27). It is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of cerebellar disorders. Patients show progressive incoordination of gait and often poor coordination of hands, speech and eye movements, due to degeneration of the cerebellum with variable involvement of the brainstem and spinal cord. SCA27 is an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia. It is a slowly progressive disorder, with onset in late-childhood to early adulthood, characterized by ataxia with tremor, orofacial dyskinesia, psychiatric symptoms and cognitive deficits.
