What are the signs of cerebellar syndrome?

Cerebellar dysfunction causes balance problems and gait disorders along with difficulties in coordination resulting in ataxia, uncoordinated movements, imbalance, speech problems(dysarthria), visual problems (nystagmus) and vertigo as a part of the vestibulocerebellar system.

What causes cerebellar dysfunction?

Cerebellar disorders have numerous causes, including congenital malformations, hereditary ataxias, and acquired conditions. Symptoms vary with the cause but typically include ataxia (impaired muscle coordination). Diagnosis is clinical and often by imaging and sometimes genetic testing.

What is cerebellar lesion?

Cerebellar lesions are most often associated with the clinical findings of ataxia, which may affect the limbs, trunk, or even speech (producing a specific type of dysarthria known as scanning speech), dysequilibrium as manifested by a wide-based gait, and muscular hypotonia.

What is the most common cause of cerebellar disease?

Cerebellar disease can result from a number of underlying conditions, many of which are listed in Box 91-1. The most prevalent causes of acute cerebellar ataxia are viruses (e.g., coxsackievirus, rubeola, varicella), traumatic insults, and toxins (e.g., alcohol, barbiturates, antiepileptic drugs) (see Chapter 92).

What does cerebellar ataxia feel like?

Symptoms of Ataxia Unsteady gait, staggering, tripping, falling, unsteadiness on stairs or maintaining balance on moving platforms, such as escalators or boats. These difficulties are often due to cerebellar dysfunction.

Which findings are associated with a diagnosis of cerebellar motor syndrome?

The cerebellar motor syndrome thus identified is characterized in contemporary terms as impairment of gait (ataxia), extremity coordination (dysmetria), disordered eye movements, poor articulation (dysarthria), impaired swallowing (dysphagia), and tremor.

Does cerebellar ataxia show up on MRI?

An MRI can sometimes show shrinkage of the cerebellum and other brain structures in people with ataxia. It may also show other treatable findings, such as a blood clot or benign tumor.

What types of problems may result when lesions occur in the cerebellum?

Cerebellar injury results in movements that are slow and uncoordinated. Individuals with cerebellar lesions tend to sway and stagger when walking.

What side effects would you expect from damage to the cerebellum?

If the cerebellum is damaged, it can result in issues like uncoordinated movement, tremors, or muscle spasms. Damage to this part of the brain is most often caused by a head injury or stroke.

What is the life expectancy of someone with cerebellar ataxia?

People with the condition usually live until the age of 19 to 25, although some may live into their 50s.

Does anxiety cause ataxia?

Episodes of ataxia and other symptoms can begin anytime from early childhood to adulthood. They can be triggered by environmental factors such as emotional stress, caffeine, alcohol, certain medications, physical activity, and illness. The frequency of attacks ranges from several per day to one or two per year.

What are the behavioral symptoms of a damaged cerebellum?

Damage to the cerebellum can lead to: 1) loss of coordination of motor movement (asynergia), 2) the inability to judge distance and when to stop (dysmetria), 3) the inability to perform rapid alternating movements (adiadochokinesia), 4) movement tremors (intention tremor), 5) staggering, wide based walking (ataxic gait …

What kind of doctor treats ataxia?

Our neurologists are familiar with the nuances of ataxia and related disorders. They work closely with speech therapists, swallowing experts, physical and occupational therapists, as well as genetic counselors, ophthalmologists and psychiatrists to offer a whole-person assessment and treatment.

Is damage to the cerebellum reversible?

Understanding Cerebellum Brain Damage Cerebellar brain damage can cause significant problems with muscle coordination. Fortunately, recovery is possible.