Cerebellar ataxia can occur as a result of many diseases and may present with symptoms of an inability to coordinate balance, gait, extremity and eye movements.
[6] There are many causes of cerebellar ataxia including, among others, gluten ataxia,[7] autoimmunity to Purkinje cells or other neural cells in the cerebellum,[8] CNS vasculitis, multiple sclerosis, infection, bleeding, infarction, tumors, direct injury, toxins (e.g., alcohol), genetic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases (such as progressive supranuclear palsy and multiple system atrophy).
Although techniques such as virtual reality, biofeedback, treadmill exercises with supported bodyweight and torso weighting appear to be of value, their specific efficacy has to be further investigated.
Behavioral intervention is successful when it involves engaging knowledge of the interests and general backgrounds of individuals with cerebellar ataxia.
An intervention technique for speech is to focus on optimizing respiratory and vocal resources as well as training compensatory strategies.