Movement, uncoordinated

Alternative names:

ataxia; clumsiness; coordination impairment; incoordination and irregularity of voluntary movements; lack of coordination; loss of coordination

Definition:

An abnormality of muscle balance or inability to finely coordinate movements, resulting in a jerky to-and-fro unsteady motion and often involving the trunk.

Considerations:

Smooth graceful movement results from a fine balance between opposing muscle groups. This balance is coordinated by a portion of the brain called the cerebellum. Diseases that damage the cerebellum, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves (which connect from the cerebellum to the muscle groups) can interfere with the fine tuning of muscular movement and result in coarse, jerky, uncoordinated movement. This condition is called ataxia and is easily seen in the jerky to-and-fro motion of the trunk and unsteady gait of an affected person.

Ataxia may appear as a congenital defect, or following a simple viral infection such as chicken pox, or appear following encephalitis, head trauma, and diseases affecting the central nervous system or spinal cord. It may also appear as a genetic disorder, or as a toxic reaction to drugs, medications, alcohol or environmental toxins.

Common causes:

• transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• stroke
• multiple sclerosis
• vertebral abnormalities (such as compression fractures of the back)
• poisoning
• alcohol intoxication
• intoxication from street drugs
• drugs such as aminoglutethimide, anticholinergics, phenytoin (in high doses), carbamazepine, phenobarbital and tricyclic antidepressants
• alcohol, chronic alcoholism
• post-infectious (typically following chickenpox)
• hereditary (congenital cerebellar ataxia, Friedreich's ataxia, ataxia telangiectasia)

Note: There may be other causes of ataxia. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for ataxia, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.