Ataxia

Ataxia, meaning a lack of coordination, presents itself in two distinct ways in medical contexts. The ataxia definition as a medical term can refer to a set of symptoms indicating a deficit of coordination in movements or to a rare group of genetic conditions that can cause these symptoms.

Your Aurora Health Care doctor will guide you through understanding your specific health situation, whether you're experiencing ataxia symptoms or have been diagnosed with an ataxia condition.

What are the symptoms of ataxia?

A loss of coordination in sections of the body is responsible for symptoms of ataxia. Those symptoms may include:

• Difficulty walking
• Eye movement abnormalities
• Fine motor skill problems
• Heart problems
• Slurred speech
• Tremors
• Walking problems (gait abnormalities)

Ataxia symptoms can occur at any age and affect people differently. Complications can be debilitating and may be life-threatening.

Categories of ataxia

Ataxia can be divided into three types based on the part of the nervous system affected and the resulting symptoms. The three types of ataxia are:

• Cerebellar ataxia is the most common form and affects the cerebellum in the brain, leading to symptoms related to balance and coordination, such as difficulty walking, dizziness, fatigue and headaches.
• Sensory ataxia involves damage to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves, resulting in difficulties sensing body position in relation to the ground. This can lead to stomping your feet when you walk and feeling unbalanced, especially in low-light conditions.
• Vestibular ataxia affects the inner ear and ear canals. It dulls the sense of balance and ability to detect head movements. Symptoms include blurred vision, dizziness and difficulty walking in a straight line.

Genetic ataxia

Several types of mutated genes have been found to cause ataxia conditions. Mutated genes contribute to nerve cell degeneration because they produce defective proteins that don’t support healthy nerve operation in parts of the brain, spine or peripheral nerves. Due to damage to the nerve cells, messages from the brain don’t reach muscles correctly. Those muscles don’t operate as well and gradually become weaker because they’re not being used fully.

There are two types of genetic ataxia:

• Hereditary ataxia, where gene mutations are inherited from parents.
• Sporadic ataxia, where gene mutations happen randomly sometime after birth.

Both hereditary ataxia and sporadic ataxia can sometimes be identified using genetic testing. For example, more than 40 gene mutations related to spinocerebellar ataxia have been identified.

Another example of genetic ataxia is ataxia telangiectasia, which affects children. It’s often identified when they have trouble learning to walk.

Acquired ataxia

Acquired ataxia is when ataxia symptoms are caused by an underlying condition. It’s much more common than genetic ataxia. Several underlying conditions may trigger acquired ataxia-type symptoms, including:

• Alcohol or drug use
• Brain tumors
• Head injuries
• Metabolic disorders
• Multiple sclerosis
• Multiple system atrophy (MSA)
• Stroke
• Severe infection of the brain
• Vitamin deficiencies

When these conditions result in ataxia symptoms, those symptoms may improve if the condition is treated successfully.

Can a person recover from ataxia?

You can recover from ataxia symptoms when they start because of another disorder that’s treatable. For example, if a vitamin deficiency caused your ataxia symptoms, increasing your vitamin levels should stop the symptoms and the ongoing damage to your nervous system. Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy or occupational therapy to help restore muscle strength.

When your ataxia symptoms were caused by a hereditary or sporadic genetic ataxia condition, treatment will minimize your symptoms, but your ataxia condition won’t be cured. Researchers are searching for new ataxia treatments and a cure for genetic ataxia conditions.

What’s the best treatment for ataxia?

The best treatment for acquired ataxia symptoms with an underlying cause such as a stroke or a head injury is treatment for the underlying condition. Once the existing condition has been dealt with, the ataxia symptoms should improve. Your care team at Aurora Health Care will advise you on whether other treatments might be needed.

While there is no cure for a genetic ataxia condition, treatment aims to manage symptoms. Medications may be prescribed for individual symptoms.

You’ll need to check in regularly with your doctor to be monitored for possible lung, spine, heart and muscle complications.

For assistance with activities that have become difficult due to your symptoms, recommendations for ataxia treatment may include physical therapy, speech therapy and balance therapy. When you have depression or other mental health concerns, your doctor may recommend behavioral health care.

If you have trouble with walking, an occupational therapist can help you decide among devices to help including canes, braces, walkers, wheelchairs and electric scooters. They may also help with devices to help with activities of daily living (ADL) like bathing and preparing meals.

Understanding the symptoms, types and treatment options for ataxia is crucial for managing symptoms or conditions effectively. Your multidisciplinary care team can offer personalized guidance and support throughout your journey with ataxia.