The FD models used in this study were previously shown to recapitulate several FD features including severely reduced IKAP expression, increased perinatal lethality, low birth weight, reduced growth rate, reduced number of fungiform papillae in the tongue, ataxia, skeletal abnormalities, and impaired development and maintenance of sensory and autonomic nervous systems [30]. This evidence concerns the gene ELP1 and cerebellar ataxia.