Ataxia is defined as a lack of coordination, a broad term that refers to the general impairments in movement coordination and accuracy that occur as a result of cerebellar damage. Ataxia patients lose muscle control in their arms and legs. This can result in a loss of balance, coordination, and difficulty walking. Fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and even eye movements can be affected by ataxia. There are two major forms of cerebellar ataxia. Disturbances of posture or gait result from lesions to the vestibulocerebellum. Patients have difficulty maintaining their posture due to the loss of fine-control mechanisms programmed by cerebellar circuits that translate vestibular signals into precise, well-timed muscle contractions to counteract small sways in the body. As a result, patients frequently develop abnormal gait and stances to compensate. When the patient stands still, for example, the feet are often spaced widely apart to provide a more stable base for m...
