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Ataxia

Ataxia Ataxia is an impaired ability to coordinate limb movements. There must be no motor paresis (e.g. monoparesis) or involuntary movements (e.g. the characteristic cog-wheel tremor in Parkinson’s disease is not ataxia). Ataxia may be:  Cerebellar.  Vestibular.  Sensory. Note: Many forms of ataxia are hereditary (but are uncommon). Hereditary causes  Friedreich’s ataxia.  Ataxia telangiectasia.  Spinocerebellar ataxia.  Corticocerebellar atrophy.  Olivopontocerebellar atrophy.  Hereditary spastic paraplegia.  Xeroderma pigmentosa. Investigations 2 Family studies. Genetic analysis (discuss with regional genetics laboratory—counselling may be required). Vestibular ataxia Acute alcohol intoxication.  Labyrinthitis. Sensory ataxia  Loss of proprioception—peripheral neuropathy, dorsal column disease.  Visual disturbance. Investigations  Venous plasma glucose (diabetic neuropathy).  Serum vitamin B12 (subacute combined degeneration of the cord—rare, but ser