Cerebellar Ataxia

Acquired vs Inherited Cerebellar Ataxia

Acquired: Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Meningitis, Hydrocephalus, Various toxins and drugs, TBI, Stroke Inherited: Autosomal Dominant, Autosomal Recessive, Metabolic abnormaility Cerebellar Ataxia: refers to any neurological disorder that affects cerebellum and includes ataxia as the main sx

Cerebellar Ataxia: Treatment

Can be hard to pinpoint since there are so many causes Degeneration involved in most ataxias Goal is to maintain independence and control symptoms

Physical Therapy as a treatment in CA

Decomposition of movement in single-joint movements Visual and verbal cues to help walking speed and stride length Ambulatory aids and orthotics for mobility Cooling a limb

What is the most common form of Cerebellar Ataxia?

Friedreich's Ataxia

Pharmacological Treatments in CA

NT modulation (monoaminergic): Anti-cholinergic drugs, GABA-inhibitors (baclofen and clonazepam) Botox for tremors Medical marijuana

Cerebellar Ataxia definition

Refers to any neurological disorder that affects the cerebellum and includes ataxia as the main symptom Greek for "without order"

Cerebellar Motor Functions

Regulates muscle timing and force. Coordination of voluntary movements. Maintenance of gait and posture. Motor learning.

Cerebellar Ataxia: Diagnosis

Scanning speech, eye movements (nystagmus), truck ataxia, coordination (finger to nose, etc) Rebound test (force control), Rapid Movements, Hypotonia, Gait

Friedreich's Ataxia is

a disease where the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and cerebellum degenerate caused by a genetic mutation (FXN) Sx start around 5-15 years of age Death usually comes from complications of heart disease

Cerebellar Ataxia:

a) is an autoimmune disease b) is difficult to treat due to multiple causes* c) can be studied using dogs* d) two of the above* e) all of the above

Ataxia is:

a) latin for 'without order' b) associated with poor muscle timing and force control* c) associated with poor coordination of involuntary movements d) two of these e) all of the above

Friedreich's Ataxia

a) typically results in death due to liver failure b) has a known genetic origin* c) primarily affects older adults d) is the 2nd most common form of cerebellar ataxia

Cerebellum Overview

known as the "little brain" accounts for 10% of volume but 50% of neurons Modifier of movement