Presents information on two studies on the role of the phosphorylation of ataxin-1 in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 pathogenesis. 'Serine 776 of Ataxin-1 Is Critical for Polyglutamine-Induced Disease in SCA1 Transgenic Mice,' by E.S. Emamiam published in the 2003 issue of 'Neuron'; 'Interaction of Akt-Phosphorylated Ataxin-1 With 14-3-3 Mediates Neurodegeneration in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1,' by H.-K. Chen et al published in the 2003 issue of 'Cell.'