Warning Signs Of Cerebellar Degeneration

Cerebellar degeneration occurs when the neurons in the cerebellum deteriorate. The cerebellum is the portion of the brain that controls balance and muscle coordination. A number of conditions can lead to cerebellar degeneration, and some of these might also affect other portions of the brain and spinal cord. There are a number of neurological symptoms to look out for.

Cerebellar degeneration has multiple causes. It may be related to chronic alcohol abuse or inherited gene mutations. It may also be a paraneoplastic syndrome, in which the immune system attacks the cerebellum while trying to attack cancer. There are a variety of treatments, but before a treatment plan can be established, a doctor needs to locate the underlying cause of the condition.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is a medical term used when patients have difficulty swallowing. When it's hard to start swallowing, the condition is called oropharyngeal dysphagia. The condition can also cause food to feel stuck in the chest or throat, where it is called esophageal dysphagia. The oropharyngeal type might happen because the nerves and muscles in the back of the throat, upper esophagus, and mouth are functioning abnormally. This dysfunction, in turn, might be caused by cerebellar degeneration.

Patients with dysphagia may experience pain when they swallow, but pain during swallowing alone isn't dysphagia. Instead, pain during swallowing is called odynophagia, and it's often caused by an inflammation or infection of the esophagus. The condition should also be differentiated from globus sensation, a condition in which individuals constantly feel like something is stuck in their throat. Globus sensation presents without difficulty swallowing.

Muscle Weakness

Cerebellar degeneration patients may experience muscle weakness. The cerebellum works by receiving information from the rest of the nervous system: the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and other portions of the brain. From there, it regulates the body's motor movements. If the cerebellum cannot regulate voluntary movements, patients may experience a weakness in the muscles. This muscle weakness might also occur if the nerve signal is interrupted. Some hereditary forms of cerebellar degeneration can be confirmed through genetic testing.

However, genetic tests only work in cases where the particular gene that causes the problem is known. When the condition isn't inherited or the affected gene is unknown, doctors use imaging studies like MRIs and CT scans to diagnose the condition. Both of these studies can show abnormalities in the brain that are typical in patients who have cerebellar degeneration.

Jerky Limb Movements

Individuals with cerebellar degeneration may experience jerky limb movements, which tend to be unsteady or slow. They're sometimes caused by dystonia, a disorder that causes uncontrollable muscle contractions. When the muscles contract, the body part involuntarily twists, which can lead to abnormal postures. Though dystonia might affect only one muscle, it typically affects multiple systems when associated with cerebellar degeneration. Common symptoms include cramping in the feet, pulling in the neck, uncontrolled blinking, and difficulty speaking. Fatigue and stress might make the symptoms worse.

Dystonia is related to the basal ganglia, the area of the brain located in the cerebrum that initiates muscle contractions. Dystonia typically presents in cases of cerebellar degeneration where other parts of the brain are also affected. In addition, jerky movements in the limbs can be a symptom of ataxia, which is a much more common symptom caused by dysfunction in the cerebellum.

Uncoordination And Difficulty Walking

It's common for patients with cerebellar degeneration to experience uncoordination and difficulty walking. These symptoms are associated with ataxia, a lack of control or ability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements. Since the cerebellum regulates voluntary muscle movement, as stated, ataxia is one of the most common symptoms of cerebellar degeneration.

Individuals also tend to have poor coordination, and when they walk, the gait tends to be unsteady. They're also more likely to stumble. Along with these difficulties, patients may have difficulty speaking and trouble with fine motor tasks like writing, eating, and buttoning shirts. There may be involuntary eye movements. Because ataxia is almost always related to cerebellum damage, it's important for individuals with these symptoms to see their doctors as soon as possible.

Diplopia

Diplopia, double vision, may occur in one or both eyes. It's considered very serious if it persists when both eyes are open. With that said, diplopia in one eye when the other is closed is still considered serious. There are multiple causes of double vision. In some cases, the condition is caused by the muscles in the eyes. If one eye has weakened muscles, the eyes won't move in sync. This can occur because of weakened connections from the brain to the nerves that control the muscles. The nerves themselves might cause diplopia if they have trouble carrying information from the brain to the eyes. The optic nerves also connect straight to the brain. If the brain isn't processing images properly, that can cause double vision as well.