Hi, I'm Dan!

Ataxia is the Greek word for loss of coordination.  As the diagnosis implies, Ataxic movement is a symptom of patients with a neurological disorder.  Those affected may lose voluntary muscle memory and lack the coordination required for swallowing, walking, speaking, seeing, etc..  Patients may appear, clumsy, inaccurate, or unstable. 

In some cases, Ataxia movement is a symptom of a progressive neurological disorder affecting the nervous output necessary for muscle movement and nervous input necessary for maintaining balance. 

The causes of Ataxia are many, ranging from trauma to genetic predisposition to atrophy or degeneration.  This may explain the assignment of patients to movement disorder clinics.   

An excellent resource for expert information is provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.