What is locomotion ataxia?
locomotor ataxia: severe progressive disease of the central nervous system, caused by syphilis and characterized by demyelination of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord; From: A Manual of Orthopaedic Terminology (Eighth Edition), 2015.
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).
Does syphilis cause ataxia?
Neurological manifestations of syphilis usually lie within the spectrum of meningovascular syphilis, tabes dorsalis or general paresis of the insane. Although sensory ataxia may occur as part of spinal cord involvement, cerebellar ataxia has been rarely described as a manifestation of neurosyphilis.
What medications can cause cerebellar ataxia?
Ataxia is a potential side effect of certain medications, especially barbiturates, such as phenobarbital; sedatives, such as benzodiazepines; antiepileptic drugs, such as phenytoin; and some types of chemotherapy. Vitamin B-6 toxicity also may cause ataxia.
What causes positive Romberg?
Positive Romberg Romberg’s test is positive in conditions causing sensory ataxia such as: Vitamin deficiencies such as Vitamin B. Conditions affecting the dorsal columns of the spinal cord, such as tabes dorsalis (neurosyphilis), in which it was first described.
What is loclocomotor ataxia?
Locomotor ataxia was described in the nineteenth century in patients with tabetic neurosyphilis. Such patients are visually dependent in their walking, and do poorly in the dark. Features that distinguish sensory ataxia from cerebellar are summarized in Table 45.3.
What is the definition of ataxia in psychology?
Overview. Ataxia describes a lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements, such as walking or picking up objects. A sign of an underlying condition, ataxia can affect various movements, creating difficulties with speech, eye movement and swallowing.
What causes cerebellar ataxia to come on suddenly?
Head trauma. Damage to your brain or spinal cord from a blow to your head, such as might occur in a car accident, can cause acute cerebellar ataxia, which comes on suddenly.
How does ataxia telangiectasia affect the body?
Ataxia-telangiectasia. This rare, progressive childhood disease causes degeneration in the brain and other body systems. The disease also causes immune system breakdown (immunodeficiency disease), which increases susceptibility to other diseases, including infections and tumors. It affects various organs.
