Cerebellar ataxia
Overview
A disorder where degeneration of certain parts of the brain results in symptoms such as ataxia.
Symptoms
* Rapid involuntary eye movements * Impaired ability to control voluntary movements * Speaking difficulty * Orthopedic problems * Mild mental impairment
Causes
cerebellar ataxia is most common in children, especially those younger than 3 years old. It often occurs several weeks after a viral illness. Viral infections that may cause this include chickenpox, Coxsackie disease, Epstein-Barr, and mycoplasma pneumonia. Exposure to older insecticides called organophosphates may also cause ataxia.
Prognosis
Full recovery usually occurs without treatment within a few months.
Treatment
Ataxia may go away without treatment after a few weeks to months. However, physical therapy may be helpful in improving coordination.
Resources
Movement or behavioral disorders may (rarely) persist.