Ataxic disorders

Abstract

Ataxia is a feature of disorders of the cerebellum and its connections. It may be found in a large range of neurological conditions, in some of which it is the principal or main feature, but clinical assessment is complicated by the fact that few ataxic patients have disease restricted to the cerebellum alone. The term ataxia derived from the Greek means ‘irregularity’ or ‘disorderliness’. Unsteadiness can result from several causes, including poor vision, impairment of postural reflexes, or due to a deficiency of sensory input (i.e. sensory ataxia). This chapter focuses on the symptoms, signs, and the pathological and clinical features of the disorders of the cerebellum (and its connections).