To quantify differences in expression of the oxidative markers between the study groups, we employed a fold-difference analysis (Fig. 2B) and found higher levels of HO-1, LDH, sCD14, total oxidant status, MDA and VEGF in SCA participants who were undertaking hydroxyurea compared to controls (Fig. 2B). This evidence concerns the gene HMOX1 and autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia.