Ataxia

Ataxia refers to unsteady and clumsy motion of the limbs and/or trunk due to an inability of the fine coordination of muscle movements. The cerebellum? is the center of the fine coordination of muscle movements; the information emerging from it is carried to the muscles by the [spinal cord]? and peripheral nerves, respectively. Therefore a disorder in either the spinal cord or in the peripheral nevers can cause ataxia.

Ataxia may be caused by a congenital disease ([Friedreichs ataxia]?), a viral infection ([chicken pox]?), encephalitis?, diseases and lesions of the central nervous system or spinal cord (including abscess, trauma, stroke etc.) or by various toxic substances including drugs and alcohol.