15 Warning Signs Of Cerebellar Degeneration

9. Vertigo and Dizziness

While ataxia primarily affects limb coordination, cerebellar degeneration can also disrupt balance pathways, leading to vertigo—an intense spinning sensation—and persistent dizziness. Patients may feel as though their surroundings are moving, making standing or walking unsafe. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises, which retrain the brain’s interpretation of motion signals, can help reduce symptoms. In some cases, medications like meclizine or low-dose benzodiazepines are prescribed short-term to ease acute vertigo, but long-term therapy focuses on habituation and compensation strategies.

10. Hypotonia

Hypotonia is characterized by abnormally low muscle tone—patients’ limbs feel “floppy” and offer little resistance when moved passively. This reflects the cerebellum’s role in modulating baseline muscle tension. Hypotonia can impair posture, making sitting unsupported difficult, and may contribute to joint laxity or scoliosis over time. Management includes physical and occupational therapy to strengthen antigravity muscles, use of orthotic devices for joint support, and teaching adaptive techniques to maintain functional mobility and prevent contractures.