Olivopontocerebellar atrophy is a disease that causes certain brain areas to shrink.
Alternative Names:
OPCA; Olivopontocerebellar degeneration
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Olivopontocerebellar atrophy can be passed down through families (inherited form), or it may affect people without a known family history (sporadic form).
The cause of olivopontocerebellar atrophy in those without a history of the disease is not known. The disease slowly gets worse (is progressive).
Symptoms tend to start sooner in people with the familial form. This disease is slightly more common in men than in women.
Symptoms:
Many symptoms are associated with olivopontocerebellar atrophy, but the main symptom is clumsiness (ataxia) that slowly gets worse. There may also be problems with balance, slurring of speech, and difficulty walking. Other symptoms may include:
Tremor
Abnormal movements
Abnormal eye movements
Sexual function problems
Bowel or bladder problems
Muscle stiffness or rigidity
Muscle spasms
Nerve damage
Difficulty swallowing
Signs and tests:
A thorough medical and neurological examination as well as a good history of symptoms and family history are necessary to make the diagnosis. There are no specific tests for this condition.
An MRI of the brain may show changes in the size of the brain structures. This is helpful in making the diagnosis, but lack of these findings does not necessarily rule out the condition.
Other tests may be done to rule out other conditions. This may include swallowing studies to see if a person can safely swallow food and liquid.
Review Date: 9/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Neurogenetics
