Cerebellar ataxia: Definition,causes, symptoms, examination, investigations, prevention, treatment

1. CEREBELLAR
ATAXIA
-Sandra Susan Sajan

2. CEREBELLAR ATAXIA
• CEREBELLAR ATAXIA
 Cerebellar-pertaining to the cerebellum
 Lesion-disease or injury
 Ataxia-lack of muscle coordination(Unsteady gait)
Cerebellar Ataxia-Sudden , uncoordinated movement due to lesion in the
cerebellum
Ataxic gait-unsteady walking pattern

3. *CAUSES OF CEREBELLAR ATAXIA:
• Genetic-inherited
• Congenital-present at birth
• Viruses: like chickenpox, Epstein-Barr virus etc.
• Bacterial infection : Lyme disease
• Brain tumors
• Head trauma
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Exposure to toxic chemicals such as mercury or lead
• Bleeding in the cerebellum
• Pharmacologic-due to drugs or alcohol

4. *SYMPTOMS:
 Unsteady gait or movements
 Dysarthria-difficulty in pronouncing words(slurred & inappropriate phrasing)
 Headache and dizziness
 Nausea and vomiting
 Nystagmus-uncoordinated eye movements
 Dysdiadochokinesia-inability to perform rapid alternate movements
 Intentional tremor
 Difficulty in swallowing

5. *EXAMINATION:
• By physical examination and neurological assessments.
• Other tests like: test for hearing , memory , balance, vision , concentration ,
reflexes , coordination.
• Finger-finger test
• Postural test
• Test for gaze evoked nystagmus

6. *INVESTIGATIONS:
• EMG Records(evaluates the electrical activity in your muscles)
• Lumbar Puncture
• Complete Blood Count(CBC)
• CT or MRI-Scan

7. *PREVENTION
It’s difficult to prevent the condition but you can reduce your children’s risk of
getting it.
Make sure they get vaccinated against the viruses that can lead to it like
chickenpox.

8. *TREATMENT
• Ataxia is generally not curable but we can just ease the symptoms to make
the patient’s life better.
Adaptation(lifestyle)
-Walking cane , Wheelchair , Special diet
Physical Therapy
-To strengthen the muscle to improve the movement , tremor

9. Speech Therapy
-To correct the difficulties while speaking
Psychology
-The patient often suffers from depression , sleep problems , so he needs
the help of a Psychologist.
Stem Cell Surgery
Treat the cause:
-In case of infections : Antibiotics
-In case of Stroke : Aspirin