What part of the brain is damaged in ataxia?
Ataxia is usually caused by damage to a part of the brain known as the cerebellum, but it can also be caused by damage to the spinal cord or other nerves.
Can a concussion cause ataxia?
The interesting feature is the occurrence of severe, prolonged cerebellar ataxia only, following minor head trauma with no other clinical sequele. Only Fenichel has described in children, a ‘post concussion syndrome’ presenting as ataxia or only unsteady gait that clears in 1-6 months(3).
What can cause acute cerebellar ataxia?
Acute cerebellar ataxia
- Abscess of the cerebellum.
- Alcohol, medicines, and insecticides, and illicit drugs.
- Bleeding into the cerebellum.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Strokes of the cerebellum.
- Vaccination.
- Trauma to head and neck.
- Certain diseases associated with some cancers (paraneoplastic disorders)
What causes an ataxic gait?
Ataxic gait disorders occur due to dysfunction of the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordination of movements. Typical causes of cerebellar ataxia include strokes in the cerebellum, alcohol intoxication or chronic alcohol abuse, and multiple system atrophy – cerebellar type (MSA-C).
What does ataxia feel like?
Symptoms of Ataxia Unsteady gait, staggering, tripping, falling, unsteadiness on stairs or maintaining balance on moving platforms, such as escalators or boats. These difficulties are often due to cerebellar dysfunction.
Is Ataxia the same as MS?
In MS tremor can be mild, but if severe it can cause significant disability. Ataxia is a Greek term which means lack of order. In medicine, it is used to describe incoordination of purposeful movements. In MS, ataxia can affect eye movements, speech, limb movement, standing and walking.
What is ataxia disability?
Ataxia is a term used to describe a group of degenerative neurological disorders in which damage to the brain or nervous system causes an individual to lose voluntary coordination of their muscle movement.
Can you drive with ataxia?
Most people with a cerebellar ataxia are able to safely drive. It is the duty of someone who develops a cerebellar disorder to notify the road licensing authority in their state, to ensure that their driver’s license is valid and that they are covered by their insurance.
What are the types of ataxia?
There are several types of ataxia, including: ataxia telangiectasia (AT), episodic ataxia, Friedreich’s ataxia, multiple system atrophy (MSA) and spinocerebellar ataxia. This condition happens when the part of the brain called the cerebellum is damaged. There is no cure for ataxia, but the symptoms can be treated.
How long does ataxia last?
The symptoms of Friedreich’s ataxia usually get gradually worse over many years. People with the condition tend to have a shorter life expectancy than normal. Many people live until at least their 30s, and some can live into their 60s or beyond.
How does ataxia progress?
The types of ataxia discussed here are chronic conditions that progress slowly and often result in people losing their ability to walk. Another common symptom is slurring of speech. Depending on the type of ataxia and its severity, many other symptoms can occur (box 1).
How does ataxia affect everyday life?
Ataxia signifies a loss of the ability to execute coordinated voluntary movements. This trouble can afflict the limbs, the trunk, the neck, the head, breathing, swallowing, language, the pharynx, the larynx, and other structures. These troubles evolve progressively.
Is ataxia an autoimmune disease?
Autoimmune cerebellar ataxia in adults is usually of rapid onset and progression and can be divided into paraneoplastic and nonparaneoplastic disorders. The neurologic deficits are typically disabling, including dysarthria, disorders of gait and balance, and limb ataxia.
What kind of doctor treats ataxia?
The National Ataxia Foundation has compiled a list of neurologists across the United States and in some countries who see patients who have Ataxia or other movement disorders.