Pollock and Kies (1990) described a New Zealand family in which 3 sisters suffered from late-onset cerebellar ataxia distinguished from other forms by the development of nearly global thermoanalgesia. Because proprioception and autonomic function were preserved, and the ... Pollock and Kies (1990) described a New Zealand family in which 3 sisters suffered from late-onset cerebellar ataxia distinguished from other forms by the development of nearly global thermoanalgesia. Because proprioception and autonomic function were preserved, and the ataxia worsened only slowly, the disorder proved to be relatively benign. The pattern of sensory loss indicated a 'length-dependent' neuropathy. Sural nerve biopsy showed marked loss of axons. Thus, the loss of pain and temperature sensation appears to have resulted from a loss of primary sensory afferents. The parents were apparently not consanguineous. The 3 sisters had onset of unsteady gait in their 50s or early 60s. The mother, who died at the age of 59 years, had complained of numb fingers but had had no obvious ataxia. It is possible that she was affected.