Ataxia is a lack of muscle coordination that can be caused by cerebellar, sensory or vestibular dysfunction. Signs of cerebellar disorders include ataxia, decomposition of movement, dysarthria, dysdiadochokinesia, dysmetria, hypotonia, nystagmus, scanning speech, and intention tremor. Causes include hereditary conditions like spinocerebellar ataxia or Friedreich's ataxia, congenital malformations, degenerative conditions, tumors, systemic issues, drugs, and toxins. Management involves clinical diagnosis plus MRI imaging and supportive care as well as treating any underlying causes if present.

1. Ataxia & Cerebellar disorders

2. Ataxia
 Gross lack of coordination of muscle movements
 Types-
 Cerebellar
 Sensory- posterior column defect- stomping gait,
+ve romberg test
 Vestibular- acute- vertigo, nausea/vomiting
 Causes-
 Focal neurological deficit- CVA, MS, tumor, abscess
 Alcohol, drugs, toxins
 vit. B12 deficiency- SACD
 Peripheral neuropathy
 Paraneoplastic- breast, ovary, SCLC, Hodgkin’s
 Hereditary/congenital
 AIDS associated multifocal leucoencephalopathy

3. Signs of cerebellar disorders
 Ataxia- wide-based gait
 Decomposition of movement- inability to correctly
sequence fine coordinated acts
 Dysarthria- slurring & inappropriate phrasing
 Dysdiadochokinesia- inability to perform rapidly alternating
movements
 Dysmetria- inability to control range of movements
 Hypotonia
 Nystagmus- with fast component towards the site of lesion
 Scanning speech
 Intention tremor

4. Causes of cerebellar dysfunction
 Hereditary-
 Spinocerebellar ataxia
 Friedreich’s ataxia
 Congenital malformation- Dandy-Walker
 Acquired-
 Degenerative- multiple system atrophy
 Tumor- medulloblastoma, astrocytoma
 Systemic- alcoholism, hypothyroidism
 Drugs- lithium, phenytoin
 Toxins- heavy metals, carbon monoxide

5. Management
Dx- clinical + MRI
Rx- supportive &
of underlying cause, if
any

6. Management
Dx- clinical + MRI
Rx- supportive &
of underlying cause, if
any