What is Olivopontocerebellar Ataxia?

Olivopontocerebellar ataxia (OPCA) is an inherited disorder, a degenerative systemic disease of the cerebellum, bridge, and olive in which the cerebellum shrinks over time. The cerebellum is the center of movement coordination. It regulates the basic tension of muscles, coordinates movements and controls the maintenance of balance. In other words, it ensures that we can run, walk, run, eat, swallow and cough.

Symptoms of OPCA

Symptoms of OPCA vary from person to person. Most patients have difficulty with balancing and coordinating their legs and arms. Other symptoms may include muscle spasms (muscle cramps) or weakness and stiffness of the muscles, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, tremor (shaking) of the hand or arm, reduction or slowing of movements, loss of thinking and/or memory skills, difficulty controlling bladder and bowel movements. The condition olivopontocerebellar ataxia is incurable.