Ataxia

What is ataxia?

Ataxia is when you experience problems with the coordination of your muscles. This causes you to move in awkward, uncertain, or clumsy ways.

Ataxia can be a condition on its own, or it can be a symptom of a range of other conditions. Ataxia is common as a symptom, but it is less common as a standalone condition and usually only happens with certain genetic diseases and conditions.

Ataxia usually indicates a problem with either a part of the brain, nervous system or ears.

Is ataxia the same as apraxia?

Apraxia and ataxia have many similarities, but there are some key differences between them.

Ataxia: Causes problems with the coordination of muscle movements and affects all actions. Your brain can still process and describe tasks properly.

Apraxia: Is a condition that affects the brain and the way it processes actions, making it hard for you to do or describe these actions (that you already know how to do).

Are there different types of ataxia?

There are three main types of ataxia. Each happens in a different way.

• Cerebellar: This happens due to a problem in the cerebellum – the part of your brain that manages how different parts of the brain work together.
• Sensory: We have a sense which tells our brain where each of our body parts are. This type of ataxia affects this ‘self-positioning’ sense.
• Vestibular: Involves the inner ears, which help us to balance. When disrupted, it is harder to coordinate movement.

What causes ataxia?

There are many possible causes of ataxia, which doctors group into categories:

• Acquired: This refers to a range of conditions which you develop at some point during your life. They can be temporary or reversible.
• Inherited: This refers to genetic conditions which you inherited from a parent.
• Sporadic: Caused by spontaneous DNA mutations during fetal development. The mutations are inherited from your parents and the symptoms can appear later in life. If the cause is unknown, it is referred to as idiopathic.

Conditions that can cause ataxia include:

• Alcohol intoxication
• Brain injuries and concussions
• Brain tumors
• Celiac disease
• Congenital disorders (conditions that are present from birth).
• Degenerative brain conditions (such as Parkinson’s disease)
• Drugs (in particular prescription drugs for depression and epilepsy)
• Exposure to certain metals, chemicals, or substances
• Genetic disorders (such as Wilson’s disease, Friedreich's ataxia, Niemann-Pick Disease, ataxia-telangiectasia)
• Infections (from viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites)
• Inflammatory and immune disorders (like multiple sclerosis)
• Inhaling substances such as glue, gasoline, paint)
• Stress and fatigue
• Stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
• Radiation sickness
• Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland)
• Vitamin and nutrition deficiencies (like low levels of vitamin B12).

How is ataxia treated?

The treatment of ataxia will depend on its cause. For example, if the cause is a temporary one (such as alcohol intake), it may need no treatment. If the cause is a deficiency in a vitamin or nutrition, minor treatment such as supplements may be all that is needed. If caused by stress, a period of rest may be recommended.

Your doctor will work closely with you to determine the exact cause and possible treatments based on your individual case.

If ataxia is happening and it is accompanied by any of the following circumstances, then it must be discussed with your doctor:

• It happens suddenly
• It gets worse over time
• It lasts for more than a few days
• It happens with symptoms like nausea, vomiting or a headache
• It happens with symptoms of a stroke
• It is interfering with daily activities
• It happens with trouble swallowing, difficulty speaking or uncontrollable eye movements.

Can ataxia be prevented?

Some of the causes of ataxia are preventable, but many are unpredictable, meaning you can’t prevent or avoid them.

The effect that ataxia has on your life will depend on why it is happening. Causes that are temporary or reversible won’t influence life expectancy. Other causes may have an impact on quality of life and/or life expectancy. Your doctor will discuss your individual case with you in detail, and the impact it will have on your life.

 

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