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Table of Contents

Magill’s Medical Guide, 9th Edition

Ataxia

by Linda L. Pierce, , PhD, RN

Category: Disease/Disorder

Anatomy or system affected: Brain, musculoskeletal system, nervous system

Specialties and related fields: Exercise physiology, family medicine, geriatrics and gerontology, internal medicine, neurology, nursing, occupational health, orthopedics, pediatrics, physical therapy, speech pathology

Definition: A lack of coordination while performing voluntary movements that may appear as clumsiness, inaccuracy, or instability.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

Ataxia most often results from disorders of the cerebellum (a large structure at the lower back of the brain, just above where the spinal cord enters the skull at the bottom) or its connections. Disorders resembling ataxia can also be seen following parietal or frontal lobe lesions of the brain. Ataxia is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Ataxia may affect any part of the body.

Some medical conditions can cause ataxia to appear suddenly, such as head trauma, stroke, brain hemorrhage, brain tumor, congenital abnormality, postviral infections, exposure to certain drugs or toxins (for example, alcohol or seizure medications), and cardiac or respiratory arrest. Other conditions may cause ataxia to appear gradually, such as hypothyroidism, some vitamin deficiencies (vitamins E or B12), exposure to certain drugs or toxins (heavy metals, chronic alcohol use, and some cancer drugs), certain kinds of cancer (ovarian and lung cancer), congenital abnormality, heredity disorders, multiple sclerosis, syphilis, and unknown causes of cerebellar degeneration disorders.

Information on Ataxia

Causes: Head trauma, stroke, brain hemorrhage, brain tumor, congenital abnormality, postviral infections, exposure to certain drugs or toxins, cardiac or respiratory arrest, hypothyroidism, some vitamin deficiencies, certain cancers, multiple sclerosis, syphilis

Symptoms: Lack of coordination while performing voluntary movements (clumsiness, inaccuracy, instability)

Duration: Acute, chronic, or progressive, depending on cause

Treatments: Medications or surgery, depending on underlying condition; physical and occupational therapy

TREATMENT AND THERAPY

A careful neurologic and general physical examination, including blood tests and X-rays, can determine whether other parts of the nervous system are impaired and whether a medical illness may be causing ataxia. No medicine specifically treats the symptom of ataxia. If ataxia is the result of a stroke, a low vitamin level, or exposure to a toxic drug or chemical, then treatment would involve minimizing the effects of the current stroke and preventing further ones, instituting vitamin therapy, or avoiding the toxic drug or chemical, respectively. In some cases, the metabolic disorders that cause ataxia may be treated with controlled diet and medication. If ataxia is the result of a tumor, then surgery may be necessary. Many people with hereditary or idiopathic forms of ataxia have additional symptoms. Medications or other therapies might be appropriate for some of these symptoms, such as tremor, stiffness, spasticity, depression, and sleep disorders.

The mainstay of treatment for ataxia is the provision of physical and occupational therapy directed at maintaining function for as long as possible. Gait training and assistive devices such as canes, crutches, or a walker are useful to prevent falls and enhance mobility. Other adapted utensils and tools may be helpful to assist with writing, feeding, and self-care if hand or arm coordination is impaired, as may be speech therapy and communication devices for those with impaired speech.

Extremity ataxia that interferes with activities of daily living, such as feeding or dressing, may be treated with proximal splinting. Distal weights may dampen intention tremor. If the ataxia is exacerbated by weakness, strengthening exercises can be beneficial. Specific coordinated exercises are often helpful in treating static causes of ataxia (stroke or head injury) but not as useful in treating progressive disorders such as hereditary ataxias. Ataxia of eye movements rarely requires treatment, but it may be disabling if the patient has difficulty reading.

See also Alcoholism; Brain; Brain damage; Brain disorders; Brain tumors; Head and neck disorders; Multiple sclerosis; Muscle sprains, spasms, and disorders; Muscles; Nervous system; Neuroimaging; Neurology; Occupational health; Speech disorders; Strokes; Vitamins and minerals.

For Further Information:

1 

Braddom, Randall L., ed. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 3d ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2007.

2 

Gillen, G. “Improving Activities of Daily Living Performance in an Adult with Ataxia.” American Journal of Occupational Therapy 54, no. 1 (January/February, 2000): 89-96.

3 

Gillen, G. “Improving Mobility and Community Access in an Adult with Ataxia.” American Journal of Occupational Therapy 56, no. 4 (July/August, 2002): 462-66.

4 

MedlinePlus. “Cerebellar Disorders.” MedlinePlus, Apr. 19, 2013.

Citation Types

Type
Format
MLA 9th
Pierce, Linda L. "Ataxia." Magill’s Medical Guide, 9th Edition, edited by Anubhav Agarwal,, Salem Press, 2022. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=MMG2022_0115.
APA 7th
Pierce, L. L. (2022). Ataxia. In A. Agarwal, (Ed.), Magill’s Medical Guide, 9th Edition. Salem Press. online.salempress.com.
CMOS 17th
Pierce, Linda L. "Ataxia." Edited by Anubhav Agarwal,. Magill’s Medical Guide, 9th Edition. Hackensack: Salem Press, 2022. Accessed December 14, 2025. online.salempress.com.