cerebellar ataxia
Pronunciation: ser-uh-BEL-ar ah-TAK-see-ah
Incoordination and imbalance resulting from dysfunction of the cerebellum, affecting voluntary movement and posture.
Full Definition
Cerebellar ataxia is a neurological disorder characterized by lack of coordination, unsteady gait, and impaired balance due to cerebellar dysfunction. In children, it may present as difficulty with fine motor tasks, dysmetria (overshooting targets), intention tremor, dysdiadochokinesia (impaired rapid alternating movements), and truncal instability. Speech may be affected with scanning dysarthria. Causes include acute cerebellar inflammation, genetic disorders, brain tumors, or toxic exposures. The condition can be acute (as in acute cerebellar ataxia following viral infections) or chronic and progressive (as in genetic ataxic disorders). Assessment includes standardized ataxia rating scales and neuroimaging to evaluate cerebellar structure.
Usage
Usage note: Specify 'cerebellar' to distinguish from other forms of ataxia (sensory, vestibular).
In Context
- "The 6-year-old developed acute cerebellar ataxia two weeks following a viral upper respiratory infection." — Clinical presentation
- "MRI revealed cerebellar vermian hypoplasia explaining the child's longstanding cerebellar ataxia." — Diagnostic findings