Final answer:
Ataxia refers to a significant lack of coordination in muscle movements, often associated with neurological conditions such as spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). Assessments include walking subtests and evaluation of tremors and rebound response. Severe ataxia can result in the inability to perform coordinated movements and even stand.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ataxia is a neurological sign and symptom consisting of gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Examples of ataxia in patients might manifest as a failure to control distance, power, and speed of an arm, hand, leg, eye, or other movements.
Some individuals may experience limb ataxia, which is demonstrated when a person's coordination is off, and they might fail to touch a target with a finger or toe, or exhibit uncoordinated or inaccurate arm or leg movements. Disorders such as spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) are often marked by a progressive decline in coordination and muscle control, with SCA specifically involving a genetic mutation that results in defective neuronal proteins leading to neurodegeneration.
Effective assessment of ataxia includes subtests of walking such as normal walking, tandem gait, and walking on heels or toes, as well as checks for tremor and the rebound response. In cases where the ataxia becomes severe, it can lead to the inability to stand or perform coordinated movements altogether, as seen in patients with advanced or severe neurological conditions.