Ataxia vs. Apraxia: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 9, 2024
Ataxia refers to a lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movements, while Apraxia is the inability to perform movements or gestures despite having the desire and physical capability.
Key Differences
Ataxia is a neurological sign and symptom, involving a lack of coordination in muscle movements. Apraxia is a motor disorder caused by damage to the brain, where individuals have difficulty with the motor planning to perform tasks or movements.
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Feb 09, 2024
Ataxia can be caused by damage to different parts of the nervous system, such as the cerebellum, and can be due to genetic factors, infections, injuries, or degenerative diseases. Apraxia often results from neurological disorders such as stroke, brain injury, or dementia, affecting the brain's ability to translate thoughts into actions.
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Feb 09, 2024
Ataxia manifests as poor coordination, unsteady walk, difficulty with fine motor tasks, and speech problems. Apraxia involves difficulty in executing voluntary movements, despite having the desire and physical ability to perform them.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 09, 2024
Ataxia is diagnosed through physical examinations, medical history, and may involve genetic testing, MRIs, or CT scans. Apraxia is diagnosed based on symptoms, medical history, and neurological assessments; brain imaging tests may also be used.
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Feb 09, 2024
Ataxia treatment focuses on the underlying cause if known, with physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy as supportive treatments. Apraxia management includes speech therapy, occupational therapy, and sometimes medications, depending on the underlying cause.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 09, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Lack of voluntary muscle coordination
Inability to perform movements or gestures
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Primary Cause
Neurological, genetic, or environmental factors
Brain damage or neurodegenerative diseases
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Key Symptoms
Unsteady movements, speech difficulties
Difficulty in executing planned movements
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Feb 09, 2024
Diagnostic Methods
Physical exams, genetic tests, brain imaging
Neurological assessment, brain imaging
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Feb 09, 2024
Treatment Approaches
Therapy, medication for underlying cause
Speech and occupational therapy, medication
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Feb 09, 2024
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Ataxia and Apraxia Definitions
Ataxia
A Condition Affecting Speech, Eye Movements, and Swallowing:
The patient showed signs of ataxia in his speech and difficulty swallowing.
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Apraxia
Inability to Perform Tasks or Movements on Command:
Even though he understood the request, his apraxia prevented him from waving hello.
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Ataxia
Loss of Full Control of Bodily Movements:
After the accident, his ataxia was evident in his uncoordinated walk.
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Jan 16, 2024
Apraxia
Difficulty in Executing Movements Despite Understanding and Willingness:
Despite trying, her apraxia made it impossible to tie her shoelaces.
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Jan 16, 2024
Ataxia
Neurological Symptom Indicating Coordination Problems:
The patient's ataxia made it difficult for her to use her hands for delicate tasks.
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Apraxia
A Result of Brain Injury or Disease Impacting Motor Skills:
After the stroke, she developed apraxia, making daily tasks challenging.
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Jan 16, 2024
Ataxia
Impairment of Voluntary Actions:
His speech ataxia affected his ability to articulate words clearly.
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Apraxia
A Condition Affecting the Execution of Learned Movements:
She could think through the steps of the dance, but apraxia hindered her performance.
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Jan 16, 2024
Ataxia
Sign of Various Neurological Disorders:
Ataxia is often a telltale sign of underlying neurological disorders.
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Jan 16, 2024
Apraxia
Motor Disorder Affecting Speech, Gestures, and Sequencing Movements:
His apraxia was apparent when he struggled to gesture properly during conversation.
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Jan 16, 2024
Apraxia
Total or partial loss of the ability to perform coordinated movements or manipulate objects in the absence of motor or sensory impairment.
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Ataxia
Any of various degenerative, often hereditary, disorders that are characterized by ataxia and are frequently associated with cerebellar atrophy.
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Apraxia
(neurology) Total or partial loss of the ability to perform coordinated movements or manipulate objects in the absence of motor or sensory impairment; specifically, a disorder of motor planning.
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Ataxia
(pathology) Lack of coordination while performing voluntary movements, which may appear to be clumsiness, inaccuracy, or instability.
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Apraxia
Inability to make purposeful movements, but without paralysis or loss of sensory function.
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Ataxia
(chemistry) The condition of a polymer in which the orientation of the subunits is random
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Ataxia
Loss of coordination in the voluntary muscles, especially the limbs; an inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements; it results in unsteady movements and a staggering gait. See also locomotor ataxia, an ataxia which occurs when attempting to perform coordinated muscular movements.
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Ataxia
Inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements; unsteady movements and staggering gait
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can Apraxia affect speech?
Yes, a common form is apraxia of speech, affecting verbal expression.
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What causes Apraxia?
It's typically caused by brain damage, often from a stroke or head injury.
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Feb 09, 2024
What is Ataxia?
Ataxia is a neurological condition characterized by a lack of muscle coordination.
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Feb 09, 2024
Can children have Ataxia?
Yes, it can be present from birth or develop in childhood.
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What causes Ataxia?
Causes include genetic disorders, brain injury, or neurodegenerative diseases.
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Feb 09, 2024
Is there a cure for Apraxia?
There's no cure, but therapy can significantly improve function.
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How is Apraxia different from Ataxia?
Apraxia is a motor planning impairment, while Ataxia is a coordination issue.
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Feb 09, 2024
Can Ataxia be treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and may include physical therapy and medications.
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Feb 09, 2024
How is Ataxia diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves physical exams, medical history, and possibly imaging tests.
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Feb 09, 2024
Can Ataxia affect speech?
Yes, it can lead to slurred speech and difficulty articulating words.
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Feb 09, 2024
How is Apraxia treated?
Treatment includes speech and occupational therapy, and sometimes medications.
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Feb 09, 2024
What daily challenges does Ataxia present?
Challenges include difficulty with walking, writing, and performing fine motor tasks.
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Feb 09, 2024
What is Apraxia?
Apraxia is a motor disorder where one cannot execute voluntary movements correctly.
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Feb 09, 2024
Is Apraxia always permanent?
It can be long-lasting, but severity can decrease with therapy and rehabilitation.
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Does Ataxia worsen over time?
It can progress, particularly in degenerative forms.
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Feb 09, 2024
Does Apraxia affect understanding of language?
No, it affects the production of speech, not comprehension.
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Feb 09, 2024
Can Apraxia occur in children?
Yes, it can be present from birth or develop due to neurological conditions.
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Feb 09, 2024
Can lifestyle changes help with Ataxia?
Healthy lifestyle choices can support overall health but may not directly affect ataxia symptoms.
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Feb 09, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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