Spinocerebellar Ataxia
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Causes
Spinocerebellar ataxia is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. All types of spinocerebellar ataxia is caused by mutations in various genes.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Definition
Spinocerebellar Ataxia is a genetic disease wherein a person suffering from this disorder experience spinal cord and cerebellum degeneration. Degeneration of cerebellum will lead to muscle coordination loss. Spinocerebellar ataxia is a genetically inherited disorder marked by anomalous brain function representing multiple types of the disorder.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Diagnosis
The most accurate and clear-cut way to arrive at a diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia is by means of DNA analysis. The image of a shrunken cerebellum can be seen by means of MRI.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Symptoms and Signs
One of the characteristic features of spinocerebellar ataxia is slowly progressive gait incoordination in addition to poor hand coordination, speech impairment and irregular eye movements. This incoordination presents with unsteady and clumsy motion of the body and other symptoms depending on the type of spinocerebellar ataxia that the individual is inflicted with. Other common symptoms also include deformity of the spine, tremor, sleep disturbances, and paralysis of the lower limb muscles.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Treatment
Spinocerebellar ataxia is a progressive disease with no known cure. Treatment is just limited at diminishing the effects of the symptoms and not the cause of the disease. Supportive treatment includes the use of adaptive devices like canes, crutches, walkers or wheelchair to allow the patient to gain independence as much as possible.