Seven key genetic variants, rs6545816 and rs1427407 (BCL11A), rs9376090, rs66650371, rs9402686 and rs6920211 (HBS1L-MYB) and rs7482144 (XmnI-HBG2) were genotyped in 260 Nigerian SCA patients (summary data shown in Table 1) and their effects on HbF levels and other haematological parameters were investigated. Here, HBS1L is linked to autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia.