Cerebellar Ataxia - A Case Study: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Cerebellar ataxia is a condition that can have a multitude of different causes and result in a wide variety of symptoms. Ashizara and Xia | Cerebellar ataxia is a condition that can have a multitude of different causes and result in a wide variety of symptoms. Ashizara and Xia (2016) defined [[ataxia]] as “impaired coordination of voluntary muscle movement” and explain that it is primarily the result of cerebellar damage. As a result of the cerebellum’s divisions and functional segregation, lesions in different areas can have different physical manifestations <ref name=":0">Ashizawa T, Xia G. Ataxia. Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology. 2016 Aug;22(4 Movement Disorders):1208.</ref>. Common symptoms of cerebellar ataxia include delays in movement initiation, dysmetria, dyskinesia, dysdiadochokinea, tremor, and disturbances in motor learning<ref name=":1">Diener HC, Dichgans J. Pathophysiology of cerebellar ataxia. Movement disorders: official journal of the Movement Disorder Society. 1992;7(2):95-109.</ref>. | ||
An important issue to address when treating cerebellar ataxia is a potential deficit in motor learning. On account of the cerebellum’s role in motor learning and shifting tasks from attentionally demanding to automatic, it can be challenging to relearn motor sequences necessary for activities of daily living (ADLs) and sustain functional gains from session to session | An important issue to address when treating cerebellar ataxia is a potential deficit in motor learning. On account of the cerebellum’s role in motor learning and shifting tasks from attentionally demanding to automatic, it can be challenging to relearn motor sequences necessary for activities of daily living (ADLs) and sustain functional gains from session to session<ref>Miyai I, Ito M, Hattori N, Mihara M, Hatakenaka M, Yagura H, Sobue G, Nishizawa M. Cerebellar ataxia rehabilitation trial in degenerative cerebellar diseases. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2012 Jun;26(5):515-22.</ref>. | ||
The following case study describes Sam Brown, a 30-year-old man who suffered cerebellar damage following a motor vehicle accident. In the case of Mr. Brown, the damage primarily affected the midline cerebellar structures. This region is needed for balance, posture, and gait, though cerebellar injuries are seldom isolated to only one region, and Mr. Brown also experienced some motor coordination deficits more typical of lateral cerebellar lesions | The following case study describes Sam Brown, a 30-year-old man who suffered cerebellar damage following a motor vehicle accident. In the case of Mr. Brown, the damage primarily affected the midline cerebellar structures. This region is needed for balance, posture, and gait, though cerebellar injuries are seldom isolated to only one region, and Mr. Brown also experienced some motor coordination deficits more typical of lateral cerebellar lesions<ref name=":1" />. A case study by Chester & Reznick (1987) discusses cerebellar ataxia symptoms following severe head trauma. In their research they note that the patient had both midline and lateral cerebellar symptoms. They also discuss an ambiguity behind the anatomical cause of the patient’s cerebellar ataxia – suggesting that it could be the result of diffuse axonal injury following his traumatic brain injury, and that it may have affected multiple brain regions, particularly the superior cerebellar peduncle<ref>Susan Chester C, Reznick BR. Ataxia after severe head injury: the pathological substrate. Annals of neurology. 1987 Jul;22(1):77-9.</ref>. | ||
The goal of this case study is to paint a picture of a patient suffering from cerebellar ataxia. Ataxia is widely regarded as a physical finding and not a disease | The goal of this case study is to paint a picture of a patient suffering from cerebellar ataxia. Ataxia is widely regarded as a physical finding and not a disease<ref name=":0" /> and research and case studies of patients suffering from cerebellar ataxia are not abundant, for this reason it is important and interesting to explore a patient case for the specific condition. | ||
== Client Characteristics == | == Client Characteristics == | ||
Revision as of 02:19, 11 May 2021
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Cerebellar ataxia is a condition that can have a multitude of different causes and result in a wide variety of symptoms. Ashizara and Xia (2016) defined ataxia as “impaired coordination of voluntary muscle movement” and explain that it is primarily the result of cerebellar damage. As a result of the cerebellum’s divisions and functional segregation, lesions in different areas can have different physical manifestations [1]. Common symptoms of cerebellar ataxia include delays in movement initiation, dysmetria, dyskinesia, dysdiadochokinea, tremor, and disturbances in motor learning[2].
An important issue to address when treating cerebellar ataxia is a potential deficit in motor learning. On account of the cerebellum’s role in motor learning and shifting tasks from attentionally demanding to automatic, it can be challenging to relearn motor sequences necessary for activities of daily living (ADLs) and sustain functional gains from session to session[3].
The following case study describes Sam Brown, a 30-year-old man who suffered cerebellar damage following a motor vehicle accident. In the case of Mr. Brown, the damage primarily affected the midline cerebellar structures. This region is needed for balance, posture, and gait, though cerebellar injuries are seldom isolated to only one region, and Mr. Brown also experienced some motor coordination deficits more typical of lateral cerebellar lesions[2]. A case study by Chester & Reznick (1987) discusses cerebellar ataxia symptoms following severe head trauma. In their research they note that the patient had both midline and lateral cerebellar symptoms. They also discuss an ambiguity behind the anatomical cause of the patient’s cerebellar ataxia – suggesting that it could be the result of diffuse axonal injury following his traumatic brain injury, and that it may have affected multiple brain regions, particularly the superior cerebellar peduncle[4].
The goal of this case study is to paint a picture of a patient suffering from cerebellar ataxia. Ataxia is widely regarded as a physical finding and not a disease[1] and research and case studies of patients suffering from cerebellar ataxia are not abundant, for this reason it is important and interesting to explore a patient case for the specific condition.
Client Characteristics[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ashizawa T, Xia G. Ataxia. Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology. 2016 Aug;22(4 Movement Disorders):1208.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Diener HC, Dichgans J. Pathophysiology of cerebellar ataxia. Movement disorders: official journal of the Movement Disorder Society. 1992;7(2):95-109.
- ↑ Miyai I, Ito M, Hattori N, Mihara M, Hatakenaka M, Yagura H, Sobue G, Nishizawa M. Cerebellar ataxia rehabilitation trial in degenerative cerebellar diseases. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2012 Jun;26(5):515-22.
- ↑ Susan Chester C, Reznick BR. Ataxia after severe head injury: the pathological substrate. Annals of neurology. 1987 Jul;22(1):77-9.
