Ataxia

The multidisciplinary ataxia team at Houston Methodist evaluates and treats all types of this movement disorder to maximize the quality of our patients' lives.

Houston Methodist’s ataxia experts take a comprehensive team approach to treatment, derived from the latest scientific findings. Our specialists partner with you to curate treatment options that effectively reduce the symptoms of this complex condition.

Ataxia occurs after cells in the cerebellum are damaged or destroyed — each patient responds differently to these deficits, and each treatment plan must be customized. Our team evaluates and treats the physical, neurological and emotional aspects of ataxia to maximize the quality of our patients' lives.

Expertise in All Types of Ataxias

This condition reduces coordination, balance, vision and speech. The symptoms and time of onset of ataxia vary according to the underlying cause of the disease and type of ataxia you have.

Sporadic ataxia may appear in a number of forms, including multiple system atrophy. With this unexplained form of ataxia, it appears without a verifiable cause and no other person in the individual’s family has had it.

Acquired ataxia occurs when your brain or spinal cord are damaged due to injury or illness. Causes of acquired ataxia can include:

• Brain tumors
• Cerebral palsy
• Chickenpox virus
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Paraneoplastic syndromes 
• Reactions to heavy metals, solvents, barbiturates, sedatives, alcohol or illicit drugs 
• Stroke 
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Vitamin E or B-12 deficiency

Hereditary ataxia occurs when you inherit either a dominant gene variant from one parent (autosomal dominant ataxia) or a pair of recessive gene variants from both parents (autosomal recessive ataxia).

• Autosomal dominant types include:
  • Spinocerebellar ataxia, a progressive degenerative condition that may be caused by 1 of 20 identified genes. Symptoms and age of onset differ depending on which gene is mutated.
  • Episodic ataxia, in which episodes are triggered by stress or sudden movements. There are seven versions of episodic ataxia, labeled EA1 – EA7. Some forms resolve on their own, and symptoms may respond to medication.

• Autosomal recessive types include:
  • Friedreich's ataxia
  • Ataxia-telangiectasia, which is rare and appears in childhood
  • Congenital cerebellar ataxia, which is damage to the cerebellum at birth 
  • Wilson disease – caused by the accumulation of copper in the brain, liver and other organs