ataxia

n. Impairment in the ability to coordinate voluntary movements. Ataxia is usually the consequence of some type of cerebellar pathology. The cerebellum is involved in regulating the body's posture and the strength and direction of the movements. Ataxia is the general term used to refer to the movement disorder associated with cerebellar pathology. Motor difficulties in ataxia can have different manifestations: unsteady gait with tendency to fall to the sides (ataxic gait), difficulties in visually guiding the movements, impaired ability to perform the rapid alternating movements (dysdiadochokinesia), difficulties in the timing of the movements in which an act is not performed smoothly or accurately because of lack of harmonious association of its various components (dyssynergia), intention tremor, and dysarthria (speech articulation defect). Many ataxias are hereditary, for example, Friedreich’s ataxia. Ataxia can also be acquired.       - aa