Ataxia

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s movement disorder experts are dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ataxia and its associated neurological diseases and syndromes.

Our physicians evaluate and treat hundreds of patients every year to help them prevent and manage complications that ataxia can cause.

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Ataxia Care?

Ataxia is a sign of dysfunction in the cerebellum – the part of the brain that controls balance and muscle coordination. It’s not a single disease but a symptom of various conditions affecting the brain and nervous system.

Our experts are fellowship-trained in movement disorders and have expertise in neurogenetics to identify and treat patients’ specific form of ataxia. We’re also active in research studies to identify novel genetic causes of ataxia and offer clinical studies to better understand and treat the disease.

Because of the complexity of ataxia, our team evaluates the most appropriate options for each patient to treat symptoms.

In some cases, we treat the underlying causes of the disorder to improve the condition or prevent it from getting worse.
Some ataxias, such as those caused by autoimmune disorders, can be treated with immunosuppression to improve or stabilize symptoms.
Some ataxias are due to inherited conditions, and treatments for some genetic forms of ataxia are now available.
Some types might be related to something as simple as a vitamin deficiency and can be treated by taking a daily supplement.

What Are the Symptoms of Ataxia?

People with ataxia experience difficulty with coordination, such as problems using their fingers, hands, arms, or legs; walking; speaking; or moving their eyes.

Ataxia can develop as a result of damage to cells in the cerebellum over time, or it can come on suddenly. The condition can cause problems throughout the body such as:

Poor coordination
Unsteady gait or walk, or a tendency to stumble
Difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as eating, writing, fastening buttons, or typing
Difficulty with speech or swallowing
Blurred or double vision
Changes in behavior or personality

What Are the Causes of Ataxia?

The cerebellum serves as the brain’s balance and coordination center, integrating information from different parts of the brain and allowing the precise execution of movement during tasks such as walking, reaching for an object, writing, or speaking. Ataxia can result from damage to the cerebellum, with a range of possible causes, including:

Hereditary genetic defects
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as cerebral palsy or multiple system atrophy (MSA)
Head trauma
Stroke
Brain hemorrhage
Brain tumors (cancerous or noncancerous)
Infections caused by a virus, such as chickenpox
Exposure to certain drugs or toxins (alcohol, some drugs or medications)
Problems with the liver, kidney, or thyroid
Vitamin deficiency (especially vitamin E or vitamin B12)
Sensitivity to gluten (wheat, rye, and barley)
Diabetes
Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis

We can identify a cause for ataxia in more than 80% of patients we see.

How Is Ataxia Diagnosed?

Because ataxia isn’t a single disease, finding the cause can be challenging. We diagnose ataxia based on a person's medical and family history, along with a complete neurological examination to determine if there are signs of cerebellar disease.

An evaluation for ataxia usually includes testing for:

Jerky eye movements or eyes that overshoot their target
Lack of coordination of movements and difficulty walking
Dysmetria, an inability to correctly judge distance

Upon completion of the neurological exam, we might use any of the following tests to determine the cause of ataxia:

Brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with or without contrast
Blood tests
Full-body computed tomography (CT) scan to look for cancers elsewhere that can indirectly affect the cerebellum
Spinal tap to look for inflammation or infection of the cerebellum
Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) to look for neuropathy
Evaluations by sleep, pulmonary, urology, and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists
Dopamine transporter scan, an imaging technology that uses small amounts of a radioactive drug to help determine how much dopamine is available in a person's brain
Autonomic studies
Genetic testing

How Is Ataxia Treated?

UT Southwestern Medical Center experts are fellowship-trained in movement disorders and specialize in leading-edge care to treat ataxia.

Based on our evaluation, we work with patients to develop a care plan that is specific to the cause of their type of ataxia. After treatment begins, patients have follow-up appointments with their neurologist every four to six months to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.

Care plans might include one or more of the following:

Medication: Medication can ease symptoms by treating the condition that caused the ataxia. There isn’t one medication that treats all ataxias; the treatment depends on the cause and type of ataxia.
Swallowing and speech assessment and therapy: A speech-language therapist can help with slurred speech and swallowing problems – two of the most common symptoms of ataxia.
Ophthalmological evaluation: An ophthalmologist can provide solutions for blurred vision.
Genetic counseling: Genetic testing and counseling are available for people with hereditary ataxia and their family members. Results of genetic testing can help guide family planning for people with hereditary ataxia who are considering starting a family.
Physical therapy: People with progressive ataxias often benefit from rehabilitation and exercise to stabilize balance and minimize injury from falls. UT Southwestern’s physical therapists are specifically trained to help patients with ataxia improve their ability to stand, walk, and function independently for as long as possible.

What Clinical Trials Are Available for Ataxia?

As a world-class academic medical center, UT Southwestern offers patients with movement disorders unique access to research, clinical trials, and new therapies – often before they’re available at other hospitals.

Ask our doctors about clinical trial opportunities for ataxia.