Definition – ataxia

Ataxia is derived from the Greek word meaning “lack of order”, and in neurology it refers to movements that are poorly organized and lack of coordination. The cerebellar ataxias are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by progressive ataxia due to degeneration of the cerebellum and its afferent and efferent pathways. Etiologic classification includes acquired forms of known causes, neurodegenerative forms of unknown origin, and a large number of inherited genetically determined forms (Mariotti, 2018).