Characterization of these models showed that they both recapitulate several FD features including severely reduced IKAP expression, increased perinatal lethality, low birth weight, failure to thrive, reduced growth rate, reduced number of fungiform papillae in the tongue, gastrointestinal dysfunction, ataxia, skeletal abnormalities, and impaired development and maintenance of sensory and autonomic nervous systems [30]. This evidence concerns the gene ELP1 and cerebellar ataxia.