10/05/2026
For those of you who have not heard yet, we unexpectedly lost a true crusader in patient care and ataxia research last week. Dr. Perlman was a humble leader who always put her patients first and educated so many other neurologists in the field of ataxia. She was an extraordinary human being, and she will be missed by all. Please keep her family, patients, colleagues, and all who loved her in your thoughts and prayers.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Susan Perlman, a pioneering physician, researcher, and beloved member of the Ataxia community whose impact will be felt for generations.
For decades, Dr. Perlman dedicated her career to advancing our understanding and treatment of Ataxia while providing extraordinary care to her patients. As Director of the UCLA Ataxia Clinic, she became one of the most respected and trusted physicians in the field.
She also led UCLA's Huntington’s Disease Society of America Center of Excellence and Neurogenetics Clinical Trials program. The Ataxia Center she helped build now cares for more than 2,500 patients and families and sees 150-200 new patients each year.
Dr. Perlman was a steadfast supporter of the National Ataxia Foundation. She served on NAF’s Medical and Research Advisory Board and generously shared her expertise at conferences, webinars, and other programs throughout the years, including NAF's "Ask the Expert" webinar series. Despite the tremendous demands on her time, she consistently showed up for this community.
“Dr. Perlman’s dedication to her patients was extraordinary. I often tell the story of how she would take red-eye flights to attend NAF conferences because she didn’t want participating in our events to mean canceling appointments with her patients. That was Sue. She understood how much her presence meant to this community, but she was equally committed to being there for the individual patient who was counting on her. Her contributions to the field of Ataxia are immeasurable, and so is the impact she had on the lives of the people she cared for.” -Andrew Rosen, CEO, National Ataxia Foundation
For so many people affected by Ataxia, Dr. Perlman was more than a leading expert in the field. She was their physician, their advocate, and a source of knowledge and hope during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Our thoughts are with Dr. Perlman’s family, colleagues, patients, and the countless people whose lives she touched. NAF is considering how we can best honor her remarkable legacy and the profound impact she made on the Ataxia community.
