Elevated serum levels of TNF, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in SCA patients are correlated with endothelial cell activation, and increased cell expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), as well as of soluble forms of these molecules17–19. Here, TNF is linked to autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia.