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1. Ataxia. Ataxia probably is the most common neurological condition that affects movement. This disease actually is a condition of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is responsible with controlling coordinated movement. Consequently, patients will experience uncoordinated movements, imbalance, as well as unsteady walk.

2. Dystonia. This is another commonly diagnosed neurological condition. When this disease is developed by patients, muscles contract involuntarily, causing twisting and repetitive movements. It can involve the entire body or just one part of the patient’s body.

3. Multiple system atrophy. This condition is quite an uncommon neurological disorder, but it can affect patients. Multiple system atrophy affects many areas of the brain and the nervous system. Consequently, it can lead to ataxia, as well as to Parkinson’s disease.

4. Tardive dyskinesia. A neurological condition, tardive dyskinesia is commonly caused by long-term use of drugs that are known to be able to treat certain psychiatric conditions. This disease determines repetitive and involuntary movements.

5. Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition. This disease affects movement, causing shaking and muscle stiffness, as well as impaired balance.

6. Essential tremor. Essential tremor is another neurological condition that can cause involuntary shaking. Hands are commonly affected by this disease, but other parts of the patient’s body can also be.

7. Tourette syndrome. This disease is a neurological condition that affects children. It commonly is developed between childhood and teenage years. This disease commonly is associated with repetitive movements, as well as vocal sounds, which become tics.

8. Huntington’s disease. This is an inherited progressive movement condition. The neurodegenerative disease determines nerve cells in the brain to deteriorate. Uncontrolled movements, as well as emotional and health disturbances can be experienced by patients.

9. Progressive supranuclear palsy. This is a rare neurological disease. The condition causes problems with walking, as well as issues with balance and eye moment. It commonly includes numerous similar symptoms with Parkinson’s disease.

10. Wilson’s disease. It is an inherited disorder which causes excessive amounts of copper to build up in the patient’s body. Various neurological problems can be experienced by patients diagnosed with this disease.

Movement disorders can be experienced by patients at any time. These are hard to cure diseases that require a complex treatment.

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Symptoms of cerebellar tumors

The symptoms experienced by patients who have a cerebellar tumor will vary depending on the size, location, but also the type of the tumor. The speed at which the brain tumor is growing may also be an important factor in determining symptoms. However, what patients should know is that being careful at such symptoms and scheduling a doctor’s appointment in time may actually make the difference between life and death. Regardless of the type or location of these tumors, they have to be removed.

Below you can find a list of the most common symptoms that patients will experience.

• Headaches;
• Nausea;
• Dizziness;
• Difficulty with coordination and balance;
• Confusion;
• Disorientation;
• Vision loss;
• Speech difficulty;
• Behavior changes;
• Impaired memory.

Many of these symptoms can be associated with a wide range of other diseases. This is why, as soon as you feel that there may be something wrong with your health, you should seek medical assistance.

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Types

There are two main types of cerebellar tumors: primary and secondary tumors. They can be benign or malignant. Primary tumors are the tumors that originate in the cerebellum. On the other hand, secondary tumors are the ones that spread from other parts of the body and affect the cerebellum.

Medulloblastoma is one of the most serious types of tumors that originates in the cerebellum. This is a fast growing type of brain tumor, summing about 20 percent of all brain tumors found in both children and adults. Still, children are more affected by this tumor than adults. However, you should know that there are many other types of tumors that can be traced in the cerebellum. Cerebellar astrocytoma is another primary type of tumor located in the cerebellum.

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Diagnosis

In case you feel that something can be wrong with your health, schedule an appointment with your doctor. The physician will ask you about your symptoms and in case he has reasons to suspect that you may suffer from a cerebellar condition, you will be referred to a neurologist. This specialist will test reflexes, as well as hearing and vision. A magnetic resonance imaging test, as well as a computerized tomography may be recommended to confirm the suspicion in the diagnosing process. Additional tests may be performed with the purpose to measure the tumor’s activity, as well as to determine if it is cancerous or not.

Treatment

In most cases, specialists are going to recommend the surgical removal of the tumor found in the cerebellum. In case the tumor has started to spread, it can only be partially removal or may cause additional damage to the body, radiation and chemotherapy can also be recommended.

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Treating tumors in the cerebellum is extremely difficult. Even though people can overcome such conditions, these tumors cause numerous deaths, too, as they can be traced in highly advanced stages. This is why seeking medical assistance immediately after realizing that something may not be in order with your health is mandatory.

Starting the right treatment, as soon as the disease is developed is highly important. However, to be able to get an early diagnosis, you need to first know which are the symptoms of this disease. Ataxia is a condition that can be developed suddenly, so no symptoms will be experienced. The disease can also be developed over time, depending on its cause. When symptoms start being felt they will include the following:

• Poor coordination;
• Unsteady walk;
• Tendency to stumble;
• Change in speech;
• Difficulty when swallowing;
• Involuntary eye movement;
• Difficulty in eating or writing, as well as in numerous other normal fine-motor tasks.

In case you lose balance and muscle coordination you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Other symptoms include difficulty walking and swallowing. In case you delay the doctor’s appointment, you may develop complications. The disease can evolve until becoming very serious and hard to cure, too.

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Causes

The main cause of ataxia is the damage, degeneration or loss of nerve cells in the cerebellum. Below you can find a list of some of the most important causes that have been associated to this disease:

• Head trauma;
• Stroke;
• Transient ischemic attack;
• Cerebral palsy;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Chickenpox;
• Paraneoplastic syndromes;
• Tumor;
• Toxic reactions.

Causes will vary from one case to another. Naturally, not all patients who have been submitted to the aforementioned risk factors will necessarily develop ataxia.

Diagnosis

There are several tests that can be used to diagnose ataxia. The physical and neurological exams will be included in all diagnosis processes. They check memory and concentration, as well as balance, coordination and reflexes. Other tests used in diagnosis include:

1. Blood tests to confirm a suspected condition. Specific blood tests will be recommended depending on the causes experienced by each patient.
2. Urine tests may also be required. They suppose taking a urine sample to check for abnormalities.
3. Imaging studies, CT scans, of the brain can also determine whether the patient is suffering from ataxia or not.
4. Lumbar puncture supposes the insertion of a needle into your lower back.
5. Genetic testing can be recommended to find out if there are any gene mutations that may determine the development of this condition.

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Treatment

One of the most important things you should know about ataxia treatment is that this is hard to cure disease. There is no specific treatment for this condition that can help you overcome it. However, there are several therapies that can be recommended in some cases. They can include physical therapy to built strength and enhance mobility, as well as therapy to improve speech and aid swallowing.

Ataxia is a disease of the cerebellum, such as other conditions of this type being extremely difficult to overcome. Getting the right treatment and receiving an early diagnosis can be crucial in achieving a cure as soon as possible.

Again, theoretically, little Chase should not be able to live normally without a cerebellum. Of course, his life is a little bit harder than that of a regular kid, but fortunately, he has his parents and big brother Alex to help him all the time. According to what is known in the medical world, because of the lack of his cerebellum, the boy should not have balance, coordination skills, emotional control, language and learning abilities and motor control. He also misses the pons, not just the cerebellum and this should stop him from sleeping and breathing.

However, you have surely observed that Chase is a sweet and happy child who moves almost like any other and who learns slowly everything about the world around him. More astonishing in his case is also the fact that in the ultrasounds it’s perfectly clear that as a fetus, Chase has the cerebellum. 

For doctors and researchers in the medical area, Chase is a huge mystery and challenge, leading them to think that what they thought they knew about the cerebellum may be completely wrong. For his family, he is a little miracle that brings a smile on their face each day.

Chase Britton is making steps to develop his skills each day. Whether the doctors will ever be able to solve the mystery of his health or whether he will lead a normal adult life it is not known yet, but time will show everything.

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1. Tumors 

Statistics show that approximately 15 to 20 percent of all tumors arise in the posterior fossa, where the cerebellum is located. These tumors can be classified in primary and secondary tumors. Primary tumors originate in the cerebellum. The secondary ones spread from other parts of the patient’s body. Surgery is recommended only in case the tumors can be removed without complications.

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Common symptoms:

• Headaches that come suddenly, worst in the mornings;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Trouble walking;
• Confusion;
• Dizziness;
• Disorientation;
• Cranial nerve damage.

Symptoms of cerebellum tumors most commonly affect muscular coordination, including walking and speech. They get worse as the tumor grows. Patients experiencing symptoms that may raise concern should schedule a doctor appointment as soon as possible.

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2. Ataxia

Ataxia, also known as loss of coordination, is a disease determined by the damage, degeneration or loss of nerve cells in the cerebellum.

Causes include:

• Head trauma;
• Stroke;
• Transient ischemic attack;
• Cerebral palsy;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Toxic reaction;
• Paraneoplastic syndromes.

Common symptoms:

• Poor coordination;
• Change in speech;
• Unsteady walk;
• Tendency to stumble;
• Involuntary eye movement;
• Difficulty in swallowing;
• Difficulty with fine-motor tasks.

Ataxia is a condition which can develop over time, but it can also be formed suddenly. This aspect will mostly vary depending on the cause determining ataxia development. Patients experiencing balance and muscle coordination loss, who have difficulties in walking or speaking should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. There is no specific treatment for this disease, but various therapies can help.

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3. Degeneration

Cerebellar degeneration is a disease in which neurons in the cerebellum deteriorate or actually die. The process can be determined by inherited genetic mutations that alter the normal production of proteins. Specific proteins are crucial for neutrons normal development and health.

Cerebellar degeneration can be caused by many diseases specific to the brain. They include:

• Hemorrhagic stroke;
• Cerebellar cortical atrophy;
• Friedreich’s ataxia;
• Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies; 
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Chronic alcohol abuse;
• Paraneoplastic disorders. 

Symptoms include:

• Impaired balance;
• Slurred speech;
• Tremor;
• Slow limb movements;
• Wide-legged walk;
• Unsteady walk;
• Incoordination.

Wide-legged, unsteady, lurching walk usually is the most characteristic symptom of cerebellar degeneration. Rapid movements of the eyes, slowed and slurred speech, as well as tremor in the trunk of the body are also common symptoms of this brain condition. 

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There are numerous other medical problems that patients can develop due to cerebellar damage. They include strokes, specific tumors, hemorrhage, but also many others life-threatening conditions. Early diagnosis is important in all cases and it can actually make the difference between life and death.

The first principle is that of feedforward processing, which refers to the way in which the signal processing is in this part of the brain as opposed to all the others. The signals go through an input – output type of system, which means that they simply transgress the existing portions, without leaving marks or recurrences. The cases in which these occur are very rare. Divergence and convergence is the second principle. This refers to the fact that the number of the inputs received is rather modest. These signals are then taken into the network system of the small brain and are taken out at the end in the form of small number of output signals. This is also the process from which the different types of cells are initiated, as they comprise themselves in order to form new ones. This means that the mossy fiber cells are expanded into granule cells, from which the parallel fiber outputs are transformed into Purkinje cells.

Modularity is the third principle of the cerebellum. The small brain is divided into a series of numerous modules, which each have their internal processes through which they take inputs and release outputs. The module is formed out of a small cluster of neurons in the inferior olivary nucleus, strips of Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex and small neuron clusters in the deep cerebellar nuclei. Plasticity is the last of the principles of the small brain. It mainly refers to the strength of the synapses between various types of cells, fibers and nucleus. The fact that they can modify in strength brings out a sense of plasticity, through which the processes are alleviated. The importance of these principles is connected to the functions of the cerebellum and to the processes of the whole system.  

The functions of the cerebellum have been established on the basis of the affections that can come over them and on the way in which the organism reacts to these damages. The natural progression of understanding the functions and the way in which this part acts has been therefore placed under the research of the damages and of the affections that can happen to the small brain and to its reactions. From these studies, the researchers have been able to pinpoint some of the main functions of the small brain, the way in which they act and process, what are the issues that may affect these functions and how the entire proper and improper functionality can be rendered and treated. 

The main function that has surfaced out of the studies related to the damaging issues of the small brain have been connected with motor control. This means that the small brain is the one that coordinates the motor abilities of the body, in relation with movements of all kinds. Precision, movements, activity are just some of the functions, which have integrated into the general characteristic of the small brain and are also some of the most important ones for the correct activity of the human body in almost all daily instances. Some of the other smaller functions of it, which have been discovered much later on, have been connected to the processing of language, attention and imagery of the brain. Therefore, the small brain is also the one that coordinates some of our most important perceptions in relation to the way in which we conceive, imagine and understand the world around us and its most important factors and activities.

The cerebellum is therefore one of the very important parts of the human neurological system. Without it and its proper functionality, we would not be able to have all the connections made between what we want to do and the motor that helps us transform intention into action. The importance of the motor function, of the attention, imagination and language functions are valuable and vital for the way in which we live our lives, due to the fact that they are the ones to make us live properly in our world. As a result, the health of the cerebellum is one that must always be a priority and any change in the way we perceive these normal functions should be submitted to a medical consult.

The mossy fibers are the ones to start up the processes in the cerebellum, due to the fact that they are the ones to create a sort of excitatory synapses, alongside with the granule cells. Through this action, the entire functionality of the cerebellum is started in the proper way and is ensured for the whole activity. The granule cells, which are also a part of the initial processing, are the smallest neurons in the cerebellum, but also the most numerous ones. These cells emit dendrites, which form enlargements together, called dendritic claws. The Purkinje cells are the earliest discoveries in the functionality of the cerebellum. They are also easily distinctive from the other neurons, due to the fact that they have a specific form for the dendritic tree. The deep nuclei are the ones through which the outputs are sent. They are formations of gray matter.

The importance of each of these components is major in the correct functionality of the cerebellum. With each new type of cell, a particular part of the cerebellum functions is taken up and the chain of reactions is carried out until the moment of the output result. All the cells have a specific purpose in the processes carried out by the cerebellum and must be in full and proper function for the perfect realization of all the typical functions. Studies carried on these are based on their particular characteristics and on the way in which they are connected.

The vestibulocerebellum is the oldest part of the cerebellum from a phylogenetical point of view and it deals with comprising the caudal loves of the cerebellum. The vestibulocerebellum includes the flocculus and the nodulus. The role of this cerebellum section is to regulate movements regarding posture and equilibrium after receiving input from the vestibular nuclei in the brainstem. The spinocerebellum is the cerebellum part which is located in its median and paramedian zone. This is the only section to receive input directly from the spinal cord, being of major importance for movements of distal muscles. From another organizational perspective, the cerebellum can also be divided into two lateral hemispheres. These hemispheres are connected by a medial part, which is the vermis.

Every hemisphere contains a central core of white matter and a surface of gray matter. Also, each cerebellum hemisphere is further divided into three lobes: the flocculonodular love, the anterior lobe, and the posterior lobe. The flocculonodular lobe is the one to receive sensory input from the ear vestibules. The anterior lobe is the one to receive sensory input from the spinal cord. The posterior lobe is the one to receive sensory input from the cerebrum. These impulses are located in the cerebellar cortex. As you can see, the cerebellum works on a very simple mechanism, but it can cause severe disorders is neuromuscular disturbances occur.

The first symptoms that the cerebellum has been injured consists of staggering when walking, as well as slow and uncoordinated movement. These coordination problems or movements are named asynergia, but other problems may emerge as well. Dysmetria is another symptom of an injured cerebellum. It means that someone cannot judge distances and when has to stop. There are other problems such as tremors, staggering, weak muscles (hypotonia), abnormal eye movements (nystagmus), the impossibility to alternate movements (adiadochokinesia), slurred speech (ataxic dysarthria). In case someone falls and hits in the cerebellum area, it may have serious health problems. If the impact is very strong, death usually emerges as the vital processes such as breathing is affected and the oxygen is not transported to the heart and brain.

It is also the centre of depression and long-term potentiation. Moreover, the cerebellum is critical for survival. There are many theories about many diseases which can affect the cerebellum and so, the life quality of the patient. New studies try to discover things about the cerebellum and its functions. Scientists also try to find cures for cerebellum problems. Although the cerebellum is one of the most important organs in our body, we still do not know enough about it. A few theories claim that the cerebellum is involved in many neurological and psychological functions. Further studies will demonstrate if this theory is true or not. Finding out new things about the cerebellum, we have the possibility to reveal important facts about us as well and cure several diseases.