Project Brain Disorder Ataxia

Brain Disorder: Ataxia

Unit 7 Project

Kaplan University

PS124

Brain Disorder: Ataxia

I. Introduction

a. Ataxia what it can effect

II. Condition

a. What can condition cause?

b. Signs and symptoms

III. Testing

a. What types of tests?

IV. Neurons

a. What neurons are affected?

V. Conclusion

a. Understanding treatment

There are more than 400 brain disorders. Ataxia while often effecting movement and stability in a person is not just centrally located in one area of the brain. Ataxia can effect and also because from cerebellum, spinal cord, cortex, damage. The damage often occurs in the nerves, and since the brain sends signals and commands throughout the body using nerves, it is classified as a brain disorder.

Ataxia is a brain disorder that occurs when parts of the nervous system that control movement become or is damaged. There are many different types of ataxia, and majorities are hereditary. What happens is one parent gives a faulty gene and one parent gives an intact gene, and this causes a chromosome defect. This is something neither parent can control. In most cases the disorder causes cell degeneration in the cerebellum. This causes a lack of muscle control in your extremities such as your arms and legs. This can lead to gait problems or balance issues with standing and walking. Cerebellar is the most common form of ataxia. It is used to indicate ataxia that is due to dysfunction of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is located behind the brain stem which is why it can also be affected. The cerebellum coordinates controlled movement. When the cerebellum is damaged unstable balance can occur and it is hard to steadying one’s hands. Some signs of cerebellar ataxia are poor balance, slower or slurred speech, and speech tremors. With speech tremors a person’s voice sounds shaky as if it is hard for them to get the words out. A person may also have multiple joint movement or involuntary shaking.

There are test that can be done to determine if you have the gene that causes the mutation. The first test usually ran is a simple blood draw, a CBC (Complete Blood Count) this helps determine how health you are. Image studies such as (CT) computerized tomography scan or (MRI) magnetic resonance imaging of your brain help with discovering where the problem is. A Lumbar puncture or (Spinal Tap) is a commonly used method of retrieving spinal cord tissue from your spine; this is them sent off to a lab for testing. ( 2013)

One or part of the neurotransmitter system that is affected is Myelin sheath. This is a layer of fatty tissue surrounding the axon of a neuron that acts as an insulator and allows faster transmission of the electrical signal. (2006) If this portion of the neuron is damaged it would make sending and receiving the neurons respond slower. If the cerebrum is damaged then this would make ataxia symptoms more noticeable.

In conclusion Ataxia while broad in the areas of the brain and body it can affect is a serious condition. Early testing may help ease the onset of the condition, by preparing a family for what’s to come. Sometime onset can be immediately noticed and other times, slowly develop and be harder to detect.

References

Mayo Clinic staff (2013) A Lumbar puncture or (Spinal Tap) is a commonly used method of retrieving spinal cord tissue from your spine; this is them sent off to a lab for testing.. Retrieved from

NAF (2012) National Ataxia Foundation. Retrieved from

Charles Stangor (2006) This is a layer of fatty tissue surrounding the axon of a neuron that acts as an insulator and allows faster transmission of the electrical signal. Introduction to Psychology pg.76