Acute Cerebellar AtaxiaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Acute Cerebellar Ataxia
View Main Condition: Movement Disorders
Acute cerebellar ataxia is the sudden inability to coordinate muscle movement due to disease or injury to the cerebellum. This is the area in the brain that controls muscle movement. Ataxia means loss of muscle coordination, especially of the hands and legs.
Cerebellar ataxia; Ataxia - acute cerebellar; Cerebellitis; Post-varicella acute cerebellar ataxia; PVACA
Acute cerebellar ataxia in children, particularly younger than age 3, may occur several days or weeks after an illness caused by a virus.
Viral infections that may cause this include chickenpox, Coxsackie disease, Epstein-Barr, echovirus, among others.
Other causes of acute cerebellar ataxia include:
- Abscess of the cerebellum
- Alcohol, medicines, insecticides, and illicit drugs
- Bleeding into the cerebellum
- Multiple sclerosis
- Strokes of the cerebellum
- Vaccination
- Trauma to head and neck
- Certain conditions associated with some cancers (paraneoplastic disorders)
Ataxia may affect movement of the middle part of the body from the neck to the hip area (the trunk) or the arms and legs (limbs).
When the person is sitting, the body may move side-to-side, back-to-front, or both. Then the body quickly moves back to a sitting upright position.
When a person with ataxia of the arms reaches for an object, the hand may sway back and forth.
Common symptoms of ataxia include:
- Clumsy speech pattern (dysarthria)
- Repetitive eye movements (nystagmus)
- Uncoordinated eye movements
- Walking problems (unsteady gait) that can lead to falls
- Difficulty controlling arm movements
Treatment depends on the cause:
- If the acute cerebellar ataxia is due to bleeding, surgery may be needed.
- For an ischemic stroke, medicine to thin the blood can be given. Removing a blood clot from within the blood vessels may also be needed.
- Infections may need to be treated with antibiotics or antivirals.
- Corticosteroids may be needed for swelling (inflammation) of the cerebellum (such as from multiple sclerosis).
- Cerebellar ataxia caused by a recent viral infection may not need treatment.
- Physical therapy may be needed to reduce risk of falling.
Swedish Neuroscience Specialists - Movement Disorders
Movement disorders are most effectively treated by adopting a multidisciplinary approach and closely collaborating with the patient, the family and other caregivers. Every member of the clinical team is invaluable in delivering high-quality, high-value care to patients and their families. Dr. Khemani is the Medical Director of the Movement Disorders Program within the Swedish Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Khemani is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Cerebellar Ataxia. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Movement Disorders, Parkinson's Disease, Essential Tremor, Deep Brain Stimulation, and Orchiectomy. Dr. Khemani is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology. Dr. Khemani is currently accepting new patients.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Jeremy Schmahmann is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Schmahmann is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Cerebellar Ataxia. He is also highly rated in 76 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Acute Cerebellar Ataxia, Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, and Gastrostomy.
UCL Queen Square Institute Of Neurology
Henry Houlden practices practicing medicine in London, United Kingdom. Mr. Houlden is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Cerebellar Ataxia. He is also highly rated in 131 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Acute Cerebellar Ataxia, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Movement Disorders, Gastrostomy, and Deep Brain Stimulation.
People whose condition was caused by a recent viral infection should make a full recovery without treatment in a few months. Strokes, bleeding, or infections may cause permanent symptoms.
Falls may result in injury.
In rare cases, movement or behavioral disorders may persist.
Contact your provider if any symptoms of ataxia appear.
Summary: Multiple system atrophy is a rare, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by variable combinations of parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, and autonomic dysfunction. Existing natural history studies from North America, Europe, and Japan suggest that clinical phenotypes and disease progression may differ across populations. However, comprehensive multicenter prospective data from C...
Summary: The purpose of this project is to evaluate feasibility and preliminary efficacy of pairing personalized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with individualized rehabilitation therapy in people with cerebellar damage.
Published Date: February 11, 2025
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Kuo SH, Lin CC, Ashizawa T. Cerebellar ataxia. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 23.
Mink JW. Movement disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 637.