Moreover, REST and CoREST selectively targeted genes that, when mutated, cause a broader array of diseases characterized by varying patterns of neurodegeneration including spinocerebellar ataxias (e.g., Atxn7, Fgf14, Atxn2, and Tbp), spastic paraplegias (e.g., Spg7, Nipa1, Kif5a, and Spg20), Parkinson's disease (e.g., Park2 and Snca), frontotemporal dementia (e.g., Mapt), myoclonic and dopa-responsive dystonias (e.g., Drd2 and Gch1), pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration (e.g., Pank2), and hemochromataosis (e.g., Hfe). The gene discussed is REST; the disease is frontotemporal dementia.