Brain

[Carolss]

As attaxia progresses does that mean that the cerebellum is continuing to shrink. How much will it shrink. Is it possible to progress very slowly. I havent read anyone talking about non physical stuff, (other than depression and anxiety that goes with this condition,) what about doing math, figuring stuff out, getting tasks done, remembering......not being able to find things....etc.

[springlove]

Hello Carolss, I'd like to know the answer to your first line too.

I have CA and can still figure numbers. I read and can remember the story well enough. Can do housework, cook my own meals, order shopping online from Sainsbury's so I suppose it might depend on the person really. Others might tell you different.

Jean

[Brommie in reply to springlove]

Hi Jean, I am very much like you, I believe that keeping as active as possible

is really important. I also knit and have started growing fruit and veg in pots and hanging baskets. I am a great believer in muscle memory and recently bought myself a secondhand treadmill which I try to use each day to help with my walking.

[benning]

I don't think your brain shrinks(fake news) but it is wise if You do PUZZLES,BRAIN TRAING ETC...

[MusicalGardener in reply to benning]

Cerebellar atrophy is not fake news...

[klazien]

I think my MMR only shows brain shrinkage but the Neurologist had nothing to compare with. I was not told anything about it in a subsequent MMR.

Dr. Giunti from the Ataxia Clinic in London was very non committal

I presume one dies before the brain has shrunk to nothing.

My deterioration was rapid for the first year, than very slowly for several years, and in the last half a year very fast again.

But I still have no pain and have a clear mind.

This clear thinking might be good, at least I have that when physically I have lost everything but maybe it is not so good because now I can experience all the frustrations of being physically so handicapped. I cannot do anything anymore, not even walking and talking is difficult, but I want to do everything.

[jneilw51]

It may be different for different people, and for different types of Ataxia, but my Neurologist told me that the only part of my brain, that was continuing to shrink enough to cause any noticeable increasing problems in my future, was the balance control area of my Cerebellum. He said that, since Ataxia tends to show-up more as people get older, many people assume that any new symptoms that they notice as they age, must be due to their Ataxia. But, it is also possible that, at least some of the new symptoms that they notice, may be, instead, due to other diseases that are associated with aging, such as Alzheimers Disease, or Senile Dementia. That's why it is probably pretty important that we bring to the attention of our doctors any new symptoms that we observe that we may be developing.

[suzie44na]

My brain has atrophy, but I am not sure why. Where it has shrunk it has filled with fluid

Suzie

[HarryB Administrator]

Dear Carolss and all

The two large lobes of the brain are called the cerebral hemispheres, or cerebrum when referring to them both together. The part of the brain that is affected in people with ataxia is the cerebellum (like the cerebrum, this also has two hemispheres). The cerebellum sits at the back of the cerebrum and controls mainly balance and co-ordination. The cerebrum is not involved in the functions of balance and co-ordination. Hence ataxias are referred to as cerebellar ataxias (cerebellar being the adjective used to describe originating in the cerebellum). Cerebral (the adjective used to describe originating in the cerebrum) ataxias do not exist.

As ataxia progresses the cerebellum gradually shrinks or atrophies (atrophy means shrink). The cerebrum is unaffected. The rate of atrophy is different for everybody and it is impossible to predict in any individual what the rate of atrophy will be. However, and importantly, symptoms can appear to progress in an individual without there being any evidence of further shrinkage on the MRI.

The cerebrum can shrink or atrophy but this is due to conditions such as dementia, as jneilw51 said above, not ataxia.

With regard to the psychological and cognitive symptoms related to ataxia it you may find it helpful to read the relevant section in the Medical Guidelines produced by Ataxia UK.

It has been suggested that there may be some cognitive impairment associated with some of the ataxias, as with other neurological conditions. Symptoms include problems with executive function (let people plan, organise and complete tasks), attention, memory and speed of information processing (how the brain takes in information, organises it and stores it to be retrieved at a later time). This is different for each person with ataxia and again, it is impossible to predict who will have cognitive symptoms and if they are present, if they will decline, and at what rate. I must stress cognitive symptoms are not present in everyone with ataxia. If your doctor suspects a degree of cognitive impairment, even if mild, it is recommended that a referral is made to a neuropsychologist for a full evaluation.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Harriet