Cerebellar ataxia is a neurological problem caused by atrophy of the brain, specifically of the cerebellum.

The cerebellum is divided into two parts; the left hemisphere controls movement on the left side, and the right hemisphere controls movement on the right side of the body. Located at the base of the brain behind the brain stem and above the spinal cord, the cerebellum also controls speech and coordination.

Research shows the cerebellum contains approximately 80 percent of the neurons in the brain. These connections are numerous because of the extent and intricacy of the voluntary actions controlled by the cerebellum.

In the biology of the nervous system, the cerebellum also is our storage tank for memories of movements we have practiced. When you learn a dance, the cerebellum records the coordinated movements so you can perform them with balance and coordination over and over again. The cerebellum also interacts with the part of the brain stem known as the vestibular nuclei, which connects balance in the inner ear.

Causes of Atrophy of the Brain

While many cerebellar problems are genetic, some are caused by other forces that inflict damage or degeneration of the neurons in the brain.

People who take Dilantin to control epileptic seizures might be at risk of cerebellar ataxia. A 1994 study found that patients who took Dilantin had a much smaller cerebellum compared to patients who had never taken Dilantin. Such damaging side effects are more apt to occur after long-term use of the drug or because drug serum levels rise beyond the therapeutic range, known as Dilantin toxicity.

Other causes of atrophy of the brain include head trauma, seizures, stroke, infections, tumors, autoimmune diseases or infections. Alcohol and drug abuse, lead or mercury poisoning, or poisoning from paint thinner all can cause damage to the cerebellum because of oxygen or nutrient deprivation these substances induce.

Patients diagnosed with either multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, celiac disease or cerebral palsy are at a higher risk for cerebellar ataxia.

Symptoms of Cerebellar Ataxia

A patient suffering from cerebellar ataxia may exhibit a variety of symptoms with different degrees of severity. Symptoms include:

• Lack of coordination
• A stumbling, unsteady gait
• Problems completing fine motor tasks, such as brushing teeth, buttoning a shirt, writing
• Change in the volume or cadence of speech
• Slurred speech
• Involuntary, rapid eye movements, a condition known as nystagmus
• Difficulty swallowing
• Inability to sit on the edge of a bed without bobbing up and down from the trunk area
• Balance problems
• Uncoordinated movements of the arms and legs

The body does its best to protect the brain by keeping it from being exposed to external trauma. Under the skull, the brain and spinal cord are protected by several layers of tissue, known as meninges:

• A thin innermost layer known as the pia mater sticks to the brain and spinal cord.
• A middle layer of tissue known as the arachnoid mater looks like a spider web.
• The outer layer is the toughest layer, described as leather-like, and is known as the dura mater.

In addition, we have cerebrospinal fluid that runs through the area between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater to offer further protection from bumps and bruising.

Unfortunately, these physical protections are no match for chemical interferences from either Dilantin toxicity or certain diseases and infections that attack from the inside.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.