Ataxia (from Greek (language)|Greek ''α-'' [used as a negative prefix] + ''-τάξις'' [order], meaning "lack of order") is a neurology|neurological sign and symptom consisting of gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Ataxia is a non-specific clinical manifestation implying dysfunction of parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum. Several possible causes exist for these patterns of neurological dysfunction. The term "dystaxia" is rarely used as a synonym.
The International Ataxia Awareness Day is observed on September 25th each year.<ref name="titleNational Ataxia Foundation - International Ataxia Awareness Day">{{cite web |url=http://www.ataxia.org/events/international-ataxia-awareness-day.aspx |title=National Ataxia Foundation - International Ataxia Awareness Day |accessdate=2008-03-25 |format= |work=</ref>
Types of ataxia
Cerebellar ataxia
The term cerebellar ataxia is employed to indicate ataxia due to dysfunction of the cerebellum. This causes a variety of elementary neurological deficits, such as antagonist hypotonia, asynergy, dysmetria, dyschronometria, and dysdiadochokinesia. How and where these abnormalities manifest depend on which cerebellar structures are lesioned, and whether the lesion is bilateral or unilateral.
* Vestibulo-cerebell... read all