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Order Code SCARA Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1, 2, 3, 6, or 7, Repeat Expansion Analysis, Varies


Ordering Guidance


This test is not a gene panel for all types of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). If individual findings are not specific for one type of SCA, panel analysis is available and includes testing for SCA1, 2, 3, 6, and 7; order SCAP / Spinocerebellar Ataxia Repeat Expansion Panel, Varies.

 

This test and SCAP should not be ordered concurrently.



Shipping Instructions


Specimen preferred to arrive within 96 hours of collection.



Necessary Information


The type of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) to be assessed (SCA1, 2, 3, 6, or 7) is required. This information must be provided for testing to be performed.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: A previous bone marrow transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. For instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant, call 800-533-1710.

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA) or yellow top (ACD)

Acceptable: Any anticoagulant

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Invert several times to mix blood.

2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 4 days/Refrigerated

 

Prenatal Specimens

Due to its complexity, consultation with the laboratory is required for all prenatal testing; call 800-533-1710 to speak to a genetic counselor. 

 

Specimen Type: Amniotic fluid

Container/Tube: Amniotic fluid container

Specimen Volume: 20 mL

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred)/Ambient

Additional information:

1. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULAF / Culture for Genetic Testing, Amniotic Fluid.

2. All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.

 

Specimen Type: Chorionic villi

Container/Tube: 15-mL tube containing 15 mL of transport media

Specimen Volume: 20 mg

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated

Additional Information:

1. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULFB / Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical or Molecular Testing.

2. All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.

 

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Confluent cultured cells

Container/Tube: T-25 flask

Specimen Volume: 2 Full flasks

Collection Instructions: Submit confluent cultured cells from another laboratory.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated

Additional Information: All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.


Forms

1. New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. The following documents are available:

-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576)

-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing-Spanish (T826)

2. Molecular Genetics: Neurology Patient Information

3. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Neurology Specialty Testing Client Test Request (T732) with the specimen.

Useful For

Diagnostic or predictive testing when clinical symptoms or a family history are specific to only one type of spinocerebellar ataxia

Genetics Test Information

This test is for the assessment of one type of the specified spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA), including types 1, 2, 3, 6, or 7. It assesses for CAG (cytosine-adenine-guanine) repeat expansions within the ATXN1, ATXN2, ATXN3, CACNA1A, or ATXN7 genes, associated with SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, and SCA7. Additionally, testing for ATXN1 assesses for CAT (cytosine-adenine-thymine) trinucleotides that interrupt the CAG repeat tract.

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
CULFB Fibroblast Culture for Genetic Test Yes No
CULAF Amniotic Fluid Culture/Genetic Test Yes No
MATCC Maternal Cell Contamination, B Yes No
G204 ATXN1 (SCA 1) Gene Analysis No, (Bill Only) No
G205 ATXN2 (SCA 2) Gene Analysis No, (Bill Only) No
G206 ATXN3 (SCA 3) Gene Analysis No, (Bill Only) No
G207 ATXN7 (SCA 7) Gene Analysis No, (Bill Only) No
G208 CACNA1A (SCA 6) Gene Analysis No, (Bill Only) No

Testing Algorithm

For prenatal specimens only:

-If amniotic fluid (nonconfluent cultured cells) is received, amniotic fluid culture/genetic test will be added at an additional charge.

-If chorionic villus specimen (nonconfluent cultured cells) is received, fibroblast culture for genetic test will be added at an additional charge.

For any prenatal specimen that is received, maternal cell contamination studies will be added.

Method Name

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Reporting Name

SCA 1,2,3,6, or 7 Repeat Analysis

Specimen Type

Varies

Specimen Minimum Volume

Amniotic fluid: 10 mL
Blood: 0.5 mL
Chorionic villi: 5 mg

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Varies Varies

Reject Due To

Specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Reference Values

SPINOCEREBELLAR ATAXIA TYPE 1

Normal alleles: <36 CAG repeats

Normal alleles with CAT interruptions: 36-43 repeats

Intermediate alleles without CAT interruptions: 36-37 repeats

Uncertain significance: 38 repeats

Expanded alleles without CAT interruptions: >38 CAG repeats

Expanded alleles with CAT interruptions: >43 CAG repeats

 

SPINOCEREBELLAR ATAXIA TYPE 2

Normal alleles: <32 repeats

Uncertain significance: 31 homozygous and 32 repeats

Reduced penetrance: 33-34 repeats

Expanded alleles: >34 repeats

 

SPINOCEREBELLAR ATAXIA TYPE 3

Normal alleles: <45 repeats

Intermediate alleles: 45-59 repeats

Expanded alleles: >59 repeats

 

SPINOCEREBELLAR ATAXIA TYPE 6

Normal alleles: <19 repeats

Intermediate alleles: 19 heterozygous repeats

Uncertain significance: 19 homozygous repeats

Expanded alleles: >19 repeats

 

SPINOCEREBELLAR ATAXIA TYPE 7

Normal alleles: <19 repeats

Uncertain significance: 19-27 repeats

Intermediate alleles: 28-33 repeats

Reduced penetrance: 34-36 repeats

Expanded alleles: >36 repeats

 

An interpretive report will be provided.

Method Description

A polymerase-chain reaction-based assay is used to amplify across the region of the ATXN1, ATXN2, ATXN3, CACNA1A, or ATXN7 gene containing CAG (cytosine-adenine-guanine) repeats. Additionally, testing assesses for CAT (cytosine-adenine-thymine) trinucleotides that interrupt the CAG repeat tract within the ATXN1 gene.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Day(s) Performed

Monday, Wednesday

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

88233-Fibroblast Culture (if appropriate)

88235-Amniotic Fluid Culture (if appropriate)

88240-Cryopreservation (if appropriate)

81265-Maternal Cell Contamination (if appropriate)

81178 (if appropriate)

81179 (if appropriate)

81180 (if appropriate)

81181 (if appropriate)

81184 (if appropriate)