What is ataxia with oculomotor apraxia?
Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia is a condition characterized by progressive problems with movement. The hallmark of this condition is difficulty coordinating movements (ataxia), which is often the first symptom. About half of affected people have trouble moving their eyes to look side-to-side (oculomotor apraxia). People with oculomotor apraxia have to turn their head to see things in their side (peripheral) vision. There are two types of ataxia with oculomotor apraxia. The two types are very similar but are caused by mutations in different genes. Shared features, in addition to ataxia and oculomotor apraxia, are involuntary jerking movements (chorea), muscle twitches (myoclonus), and disturbances in nerve function (neuropathy). Type 1 typically has an earlier onset of symptoms (around age 7) than type 2 (around age 15). Chorea and myoclonus tend to disappear gradually in type 1 whereas these movement problems are persistent in type 2. Neuropathy is more severe in type 1 and can lead to
