Guide To The Warning Signs Of Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Difficulty Learning

Difficulty learning or with other cognitive functions can serve as early warning signs of spinocerebellar ataxia. They may also be indicators that the disease is progressing. Motor learning is the process where individuals adapt their movements to natural changes within their body. This is one of many learning processes that this condition can affect.

Two other learning processes affected include visuospatial and implicit learning. Visuospatial learning is the ability to analyze and judge things based on their distance and dimensions. Patients with this condition may be unable to do certain things because they cannot gauge how close or far away certain objects are. One example of such a task is driving a car. Implicit learning is where an individual is not aware that they are learning. Learning how to socialize better while having natural conversations with others is one example. Having difficulty with implicit learning can contribute to other impairments. This includes speech development problems in younger children with this condition.