Neurodegenerative Cerebellar Ataxia

This article highlights the diagnostic process, including the differential diagnosis, as well as treatment approaches and symptomatic management. The pillars of treatment are physical, occupational, and speech therapy as well as counseling and discussions of disease prognosis, genetics, and reproductive choices. There are many ways to help patients with neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxia and improve their quality of life. RECENT FINDINGS Recent years have seen significant improvements in genetic testing, with reductions in cost of both Sanger sequencing and whole exome sequencing and increasing availability of the latter. These improvements increase clinicians’ ability to identify the etiology of neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxia and suggest future treatments. Although no medication has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of cerebellar ataxia, research and clinical trials for these diseases are increasing. SUMMARY Neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxia is characterized by dysarthria, dysmetria, oculomotor abnormalities, and ataxic gait. It has a broad differential diagnosis, and numerous options exist for managing symptoms. Although no medications have been approved specifically for cerebellar ataxia, treatment options are available to improve patients’ quality of life.
Source: CONTINUUM: Lifelong Learning in Neurology - Category: Neurology Tags: REVIEW ARTICLES Source Type: research