Ataxia is a lack of co-ordination in the muscles. It is a symptom of damage to part of the central nervous system. Locomotor ataxia involves a lack of balance, or equilibrium. Patients must stand on a broad base, eyes open, or they will sway or even fall. The swaying increases if they shut their eyes. Ataxia has many causes, locomotor ataxia may be due to syphilis for example. Many diseases that damage the central nervous system may cause ataxia, including tumours of the cerebrum or cerebellum, some deficiency diseases, and diseases of the spinal cord. Ataxia may also result from overuse of such drugs as barbiturates or alcohol. Research Ataxia
The cerebellum is a division of the brain, located below the cerebrum and in the posterior of the brain. The cerebellum features a central portion, called the vermis, and two side portions, or hemispheres - one on each side. It is the responsibility of the cerebellum to coordinate and modify the resultant activity of impulses and orders sent from the cerebrum. It does this by receiving information from nerve endings all over the body, such as the balance and equilibrium centers in the inner ear, and adjusts and fine tunes these actions by passing the regulating signals to the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord. Damage to the cerebellum therefore results in loss of ability to maintain precise muscular coordination and fine cooperative actions of the motor processes (called ataxia). Research Cerebellum
Syphilis is a venereal disease (VD, STD) due to the micro-organism Treponema Pallidum. It is usually transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person, but may also be transmitted by contact with an infected person through cuts or scratches in the skin, making medical staff particularly at risk of contracting the disease. The initial stage of syphilis is a 'chancre' which resembles a large infected wart. It appears on the lips or in the genital area, but frequently this stage of the disease is overlooked and heals spontaneously.
Primary syphilis, as this stage is called, may then pass unnoticed. The secondary stage lasts for several weeks and is characterised by rashes and ulcerative lesions in the mouth. This stage also may be overlooked and if treatment is not instituted the patient will develop tertiary syphilis of which there are various manifestations. One is the development of a syphilitic tumour or gumma which breaks down and produces an ulcer - gummatous ulcer. Tertiary syphilis also affects the nervous system, producing tabes dorsalis (locomotor ataxia). In this condition the victim develops degenerative changes in the joints (Charcot's joints) and perforating ulcers in the feet. The child of an infected mother may be born with congenital syphilis which shows itself during the first two or three years of life in special changes which affect the child's bones, liver and eyes. Research Syphilis
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Ataxia
