Creator: Dr. Simi Paknikar
Keywords: Brainstem, Cortex, Lyme disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Thalamus

Written by Dr. Simi Paknikar, MD

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sunil Shroff, MBBS, MS, FRCS (UK), D. Urol (Lond)

Last Updated on Jul 29, 2014

Glossary – Ataxia

Brainstem: It is a part of the brain in the lower portion of the skull that continues as the spinal cord. It controls breathing, circulation of blood and other important functions.

Cortex: It is the outer layer covering the largest part of the brain called the cerebrum.

Lyme disease: It is a disease spread by tick bite. It commonly causes rashes, joint swellings and fever.

Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease in which the covering of nerves i.e. myelin sheath is lost. It can severely disable the patient.

Thalamus: It is a relay centre for incoming and outgoing signals to and from the brain.

Published on Sep 03, 2010
Last Updated on Jul 29, 2014

Comments

kenny66 Thursday, July 19, 2018

CAN CEREBELLAR ATAXIA BE AGGRAVATED BY ANY KIND OF ACTIVITY? ALSO, IS THIS DISORDER PART OF THE PARKINSON DISEASE FAMILY?>=

Willowkitty Wednesday, August 6, 2014

I cannot walk a straight line. It was so bad Sunday that I went to the hospital to see if I had a stroke. No stroke, no MS, taking meds for heart attack back in December. Doctors don't know what is causing it. Very frustrated.

Imayavaramban Saturday, June 21, 2014

Last month, I got injured in my head due to road accident. I found some symptoms in me relevant to ataxia. What should i do next ?

Jimbo1789 Monday, December 3, 2012

I got ataxia from interferon shots. Collapsed one day, wound up in hospital for 2 weeks in a coma, had pneumonia, anemia requiring transfusion, dysphagia, dyskinesia and dysarthria, After 3 months of therapy speech is still affected and still cannot walk w/o qualified supervision. Are there any treatments available?

marnie65 Friday, July 20, 2012

For the last two months, I have had Bacteremia four times with E-Coli ESBL, and Proteus. I have been covered extensively with Gentamicin and Vancomycin. My Creatinine has been rising and is now 131. My GFR has been decreasing, which is now 38. As well, I have lost my sense of balance and I am experiencing a great deal of difficulty walking. Initially I thought this was due to severe anemia, HGB 88, with iron depletion. Now I wonder about ataxia from the aminoglycocides, and if this is the case, is it reversible?