Ataxia

Basics

Description

  • Inability to perform coordinated movements
  • Caused by a disorder of the cerebellum or its connections:
    • Ipsilateral signs with lateral cerebellar lesions
    • Truncal ataxia with midline lesions

Etiology

  • Usually cerebellar in origin, but may occur with sensory, motor, or vestibular dysfunction
  • May be acquired or hereditary:
    • Trauma
    • Mass lesions
    • Vascular disorders, such as stroke
    • Infections or postinfectious processes
    • Toxins/drugs
    • Metabolic/endocrine derangements
    • Paraneoplastic syndromes
    • Autoimmune diseases
    • Demyelinating diseases
    • Nutritional deficiencies
    • Hydrocephalus
    • Congenital malformations
    • Hereditary disorders:
      • Inborn errors of metabolism
      • Progressive degenerative ataxias

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