Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Ataxia physical examination
Introduction
Mental status examination
Abnormalities in higher cortical functions like executive functions, spatial orientation, motor memory, language functions, and emotional recognition and production
- Impairment of consciousness,
- Visual changes,
- Trouble speaking and swallowing,
- Focal sensory loss or weakness,
- Vertigo,
- Slow and abnormal movements,
- Cognitive impairment, and
- Behavior changes.
Cerebellar signs
The gait is affected in almost all patients. Patients cannot stand with their feet together. Tests like tandem stance or walking can be used. Gait is wide-based. Also, we can see impaired cerebellar functions, like limb dysmetria, intention tremors, along with loss of tone, as well as dysarthria and nystagmus.
Strength
- Symmetric proximal muscle weakness has been seen. Distal muscle weakness can also be present, which suggests generalized neuropathy.
- Gait dysfunction may also suggest muscle weakness rather than ataxia.
Extrapyramidal system
- Rigidity with slowed movements
- Slowed or delayed postural corrections
- Dystonia or limitations of vertical gaze