Types of ataxia |
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Ataxia UK provides a range of publications free of charge. Please download them below, and if any of your questions are not answered here, you can call our Helpline on 0845 644 0606 or email helpline@ataxia.org.uk |
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| What is ataxia? | |
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Ataxia means ‘lack of order’ and is used by doctors to describe problems with balance and coordination. In some cases, people get the symptoms of ataxia for short periods of time and then recover. However, the conditions covered in this booklet are mostly ones in which ataxia is permanent and in many cases is progressive (ie it gets worse with time). |
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| Brief introduction to ataxia | |
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This is intended as a brief introduction to ataxia, and to answer some of the main questions you may have:
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| Friedreich's ataxia | |
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This leaflet has been written to provide people affected by Friedreich's ataxia (FA) with factiual information about the condition. You may have been diagnosed with FA yourself, you may be caring for someone with FA or you may be a parent, relative or friend and wish to know more. |
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| Spinocerebellar ataxia | |
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The spinocerebellar ataxias(SCAs) are each caused by atypical variations in a particular gene. The leaflets below contain information about the most common SCAs. Please contact the Helpline on 0845 644 0606 or helpline@ataxia.org.uk if you can't see the information you need below. |
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| Spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA1) | |
| Spinocerebellar ataxia 2 (SCA2) | |
| Spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3) also known as Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) |
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| Spinocerebellar ataxia 6 (SCA6) | |
| Spinocerebellar ataxia 7 (SCA7) | |
| Spinocerebellar ataxia 17 (SCA17) |
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| Ataxia with Vitamin E deficiency | |
| If you were diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia many years ago and have not had a genetic test to confirm the diagnosis it may be worth asking your doctor to check your vitamin E levels. This is because you may have been misdiagnosed. You may have Ataxia with vitamin E deficiency, a rare form of ataxia that is treatable with vitamin E. |
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| Episodic ataxia | |
| The episodic ataxias are a relatively rare group of conditions which, as their name suggests, tend to affect people in bouts or attacks of unsteadiness. There are several types, but the most well understood are called episodic ataxia types 1 and 2. Both of these occur in families and are inherited in what is known as an 'autosomal dominant' manner. This means that an affected individual has a 50% chance of passing the gene on to their children. |
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| DRPLA (Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy) | |
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Dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a rare type of inherited progressive lateonset cerebellar ataxia. It is caused by an atypical variation |
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| Gluten ataxia | |
| In 2000, Ataxia UK awarded a grant to investigate the mechanism by which gluten sensitivity (ie sensitivity to a protein found in wheat, barley and rye) can manifest with cerebellar dysfunction, causing ataxia (gluten ataxia). The work advanced our understanding of this relatively common form of ataxia. To put it in perspective, gluten ataxia accounts for up to 40% of the idiopathic sporadic ataxias (those with no known cause and in which there is no family history of ataxia). |
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| PCD (Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration) | |
| Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a type of ataxia that results from cancer. Whilst it is uncommon, PCD may be associated with almost every type of tumour, although the most frequent types of tumours are lung, ovary, breast and lymphoma. The neurological problems often develop before the tumour is identified, although this is not always the case. This means that it is very important to diagnose this type of ataxia promptly in order to treat the tumour. |
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| Alcohol-related ataxia | |
| Prolonged heavy drinking can cause damage to the brain resulting in permanent ataxia and other problems, such as memory loss and confusion. | |
| Ataxia & chickenpox | |
| Chicken pox (or varicella) is a highly infectious illness that affects nearly all children at some stage. Most commonly, children catch it between the ages of two and eight years old. The illness usually clears up by itself and complications are rare. |
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| Head injury and ataxia | |
| This document explains more about what types of head injury can be associated with ataxia. | |
