title: Validating an Ataxia Functional Composite Scale in spinocerebellar ataxia.
abstract: The Ataxia Functional Composite Scale (AFCS) may provide a sensitive and reproducible assessment of treatment responses in studies of the spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA). We previously assessed the effects of buspirone in a cohort of patients with SCA via the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). At each assessment period, AFCS scores were also obtained. A strong correlation of AFCS with ICARS scores was demonstrated at all assessment periods. This study supports the validity of the AFCS as a useful assessment of ataxia in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, New Jersey, USA. Assadi-Mitra@cooperhealth.edu
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Assadi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: J Jon
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Veloski
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Schwartzman
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Janson
authors.forename: Joseph V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Campellone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002065:Buspirone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020754:Spinocerebellar Ataxias / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014894:Weights and Measures
chemical_list: D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D002065:Buspirone