MANF and cerebellar ataxia: MANF is also protective against cerebral ischemia6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and prevents degeneration of Purkinje cells in spinocerebellar ataxia.11 In these experiments, MANF and CDNF halted the death of the neurons and also stimulated regrowth of the dopaminergic fibers, acting thus as typical NTFs.