From the National Ataxia Foundation, a great handout:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT...
Cognition and Emotion in Cerebellar Disorders
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT...
Cognition and Emotion in Cerebellar Disorders
Are problems in the areas of cognition and
emotion related to the cerebellar damage in
ataxia?
Yes, they can be. The cerebellum has long been known to be important for motor control, and people with ataxic disorders experience motor difficulties including wide-based and unsteady gait (ataxia), incoordination of the arms and legs, slurred speech, and eye movement abnormalities. We now know that the cerebellum, like the cerebral cortex, has some parts that are critical for movement, and other parts that play a role in cognition and emotion. The motor cerebellum is linked with the motor cortex that governs movements; whereas non-motor regions of the cerebellum are linked with cerebral cortical “association” areas important for thought, reasoning, motivation, memory and feelings. Damage to the non-motor cerebellum disrupts these cerebellar links with cerebral cortical thinking areas, and can lead to difficulties in intellectual functions and to changes in mood and personality. Ataxic disorders may also produce neurodegeneration in parts of the cerebral cortex important for intellect, another reason why ataxia patients may experience problems with these functions.
What types of psychological problems may be caused by cerebellar damage or disorders?
The cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome is the set of problems that arises when the non-motor cerebellum is damaged. It includes impairments in executive function, visual-spatial analysis and selected deficits in language skills as well as changes in personality and behavior. There may be difficulties with multi-tasking,
Yes, they can be. The cerebellum has long been known to be important for motor control, and people with ataxic disorders experience motor difficulties including wide-based and unsteady gait (ataxia), incoordination of the arms and legs, slurred speech, and eye movement abnormalities. We now know that the cerebellum, like the cerebral cortex, has some parts that are critical for movement, and other parts that play a role in cognition and emotion. The motor cerebellum is linked with the motor cortex that governs movements; whereas non-motor regions of the cerebellum are linked with cerebral cortical “association” areas important for thought, reasoning, motivation, memory and feelings. Damage to the non-motor cerebellum disrupts these cerebellar links with cerebral cortical thinking areas, and can lead to difficulties in intellectual functions and to changes in mood and personality. Ataxic disorders may also produce neurodegeneration in parts of the cerebral cortex important for intellect, another reason why ataxia patients may experience problems with these functions.
What types of psychological problems may be caused by cerebellar damage or disorders?
The cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome is the set of problems that arises when the non-motor cerebellum is damaged. It includes impairments in executive function, visual-spatial analysis and selected deficits in language skills as well as changes in personality and behavior. There may be difficulties with multi-tasking,
planning, and organizing. Tasks of every day life that
require intellectual flexibility and that were previously
performed automatically may require conscious effort
and new strategies. There may de difficulty expressing
thoughts logically and coherently, and memory
problems, particularly with working, or scratch pad,
memory. Mood changes include depression, apathy,
irritability and limited frustration tolerance.
Psychosocial interaction may be impaired, particularly
in children with cerebellar damage. Dementia is
uncommon in cerebellar disease, but can be a problem
in those ataxic disorders that affect widespread areas of
the cerebral cortex. The role of the cerebellum in
dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism
spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, developmental
delay and panic disorder, is under active investigation.
Why is this important for the ataxia patient?
Cerebellar patients and families generally find it helpful to know that cognitive and psychiatric problems may occur as a direct result of the illness. These challenges, beyond motor control, are not “in their head”, rather, they are in their brain. These difficulties are not the fault of the affected individual, family members or health care providers. It is also useful to know that the stress of chronic illness and the social changes that result may place additional burdens on patients and families. Recognizing the brain basis of these mental and mood changes, along with challenging social and psychological issues that come with the illness, is the essential first step leading to treatment. Parents of children with developmental delay from cerebellar disease may have to deal with many special psychosocial and intellectual challenges, even if there is only minimal or no ataxia.
PDF handout here
Why is this important for the ataxia patient?
Cerebellar patients and families generally find it helpful to know that cognitive and psychiatric problems may occur as a direct result of the illness. These challenges, beyond motor control, are not “in their head”, rather, they are in their brain. These difficulties are not the fault of the affected individual, family members or health care providers. It is also useful to know that the stress of chronic illness and the social changes that result may place additional burdens on patients and families. Recognizing the brain basis of these mental and mood changes, along with challenging social and psychological issues that come with the illness, is the essential first step leading to treatment. Parents of children with developmental delay from cerebellar disease may have to deal with many special psychosocial and intellectual challenges, even if there is only minimal or no ataxia.
National Ataxia Foundation
2600 Fernbrook Lane, Suite 119 • Minneapolis, MN 55447-4752
Phone: (763) 553-0020 • Fax: (763) 553-0167 Email: naf@ataxia.org • Website: www.ataxia.org
2600 Fernbrook Lane, Suite 119 • Minneapolis, MN 55447-4752
Phone: (763) 553-0020 • Fax: (763) 553-0167 Email: naf@ataxia.org • Website: www.ataxia.org
PDF handout here
http://www.ataxia.org/events/2013-Presentations/Saturday/Schmahmann_2013.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment