Synonyms: Idiopathic late-onset cerebellar ataxia | SAOA
A rare non-hereditary degenerative ataxia disease characterized by a slowly progressive cerebellar syndrome (with ataxia of stance and gait upper limb dysmetria and intention tremor ataxic speech and oculomotor abnormalities) presenting in adulthood (at around 50 years of age) that is not due to a known cause. Extracerebellar symptoms (e.g. decreased vibration sense and absent or decreased ankle reflexes) polyneuropathy and mild autonomic dysfunction may also be present. Mild cognitive impairment has also rarely been reported.
Data from Orphanet are used to provide information on a disease's name, synonym(s), and overview. Reference: Access aggregated data from Orphanet at Orphadata. Orphadata: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Available on http://www.orphadata.org. Data version April 2026
Newly diagnosed with
Sporadic adult-onset ataxia of unknown etiology?
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Advocacy Organizations
Ataxia and me
To relieve the needs of sufferers of Ataxia or other neurological disorders, their families and carers for the public benefit by providing patient led support and by raising awareness of such conditions."
National Ataxia Foundation
To accelerate the development of treatments and a cure while working to improve the lives of those living with Ataxia.
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Clinical Trials
For a list of clinical trials in this disease area, please click here.