Ataxia may affect movement of the middle part of the body from the neck to the hip area (the trunk) or the arms and legs (limbs).

When the person is sitting, the body may move side-to-side, back-to-front, or both, and quickly move back to an upright position.

When a person with ataxia of the arms reaches for an object, their hand may sway back and forth.

Common symptoms of ataxia are listed below.

• Sudden, uncoordinated movement
• Walking problems (unsteady gait)
• Sudden (nystagmus) or uncoordinated eye movements
• Clumsy speech pattern (dysarthria)

The doctor will ask you if you have been recently sick, and try to rule out any other causes for the problem. . A full neurological examination will be done to identify the areas of the nervous system most affected.

The following tests may be done:

• Spinal tap
• CT or MRI scan of the head