Biallelic mutations in PALB2 (partner and localiser of BRCA2, also designated FANCN) have been associated with FA clinical features (Levitus et al, 2005; Levran et al, 2005; Litman et al, 2005; Xia et al, 2006a; Reid et al, 2007). Here, BRCA2 is linked to Friedreich ataxia.