| ataxia of lambs | Myelination failure seen in ewes on a copper-deficient diet. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| ataxia telangiectasia syndrome | ataxia telangiectasia |
| ataxia-telangiectasia | <neurology, oncology> An intriguing autosomal recessive disorder in which a single defective gene produces myriad and protean effects, presents with cerebellar ataxia, telangiectasias in the eyes and skin, immune deficiency and autoimmune phenomena, propensity for lymphoid and other malignancies, excessive sensitivity to ionising radiation, increased serum alpha-fetoprotein concentrations and a tendency for chromosome breakage and translocation. A syndrome characterised by choreoathetosis beginning in childhood, progressive cerebellar ataxia, telangiectasis of conjunctiva and skin, slowly progressive mental deterioration and increasing cerebellar degeneration. There is evidence that heterozygotes show an increased susceptibility to malignancy as well, with breast cancer often cited. The gene was localised by linkage studies to chromosome 11q22-23, and recently cloned, revealing it to be homologous to the PI-3 kinase family so that prenatal diagnosis by RFLP analysis is possible. Other related genes are suspected to exist. Diagnosis in affected patients is made on clinical grounds, by detection of high concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein, and by a specialised cell culture assay for radiosensitivity and atypical radioresistant DNA synthesis. These cell culture methods are also used for prenatal diagnosis. A characteristic autopsy feature of ataxia-telangiectasia is the presence of empty basket cells in the cerebellum which results from degeneration of the previously contained Purkinje cells. Inheritance: autosomal recessive. (16 Dec 1998) |
| ataxiadynamia | Muscular weakness combined with incoordination. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ataxiagram | The recording made by an ataxiagraph. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ataxiagraph | An instrument for measuring the degree and direction of the swaying of the body and head in static ataxia, with the individual's eyes closed. Synonym: ataxiameter. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ataxiameter | An instrument for measuring the degree and direction of the swaying of the body and head in static ataxia, with the individual's eyes closed. Synonym: ataxiameter. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ataxiaphasia | Inability to form connected sentences, although single words may perhaps be used intelligibly. Origin: G. A-priv. + taxis, order, + phasis, an affirmation, speech (05 Mar 2000) |
| ataxic | <medicine> Characterised by ataxy, that is, by great irregularity of functions or symptoms, or by a want of coordinating power in movements. Ataxic fever, malignant typhus fever. Origin: Cf. F. Ataxique. See Ataxia. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ataxic abasia | Difficulty in walking due to ataxia of the legs. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ataxic aphasia | A type of aphasia in which there is a deficit in speech production or language output, often accompanied by a deficit in communicating by writing, signs, etc. The patient is aware of his impairment. Synonym: anterior aphasia, ataxic aphasia, Broca's aphasia, expressive aphasia, nonfluent aphasia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ataxic breathing | Completely irregular breathing pattern, with continually variable rate and depth of breathing; results from lesions in the respiratory centres in the brainstem, extending from the dorsomedial medulla caudally to the obex. Synonym: ataxic breathing, Biot's breathing, respiratory ataxia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ataxic dysarthria | Dysarthria caused by cerebellar lesions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ataxic gait | <neurology> Walking that is clumsy, uncoordinated. (16 Dec 1997) |
| ataxic paramyotonia | A disorder characterised by a tonic muscular spasm on attempted movement, associated with slight paresis and ataxia. (05 Mar 2000) |