Spinocerebellar disease is the degeneration of the cells in the cerebellum and/or spinal cord, hence damaging parts of the nervous system that control movement. This disables the patient from using his/her hands and legs in normal coordination, and in later stages even the ability to speak and eat is greatly weakened. .

This is because the cerebellum which is responsible for the precision and fine control of voluntary movement, in its early stages of development (when the person is roughly below 15 years of age), automatizes certain motor, mental and sensory skills, hence these skills do not require the conscious part of the brain to pay much attention or thought to it. Other patients without this disease, and whose cerebellum has been damaged at first, are not able to walk, but can learn this skill again, although it is now not automatically controlled..

Symptoms

Symptoms are caused by the wearing away of structures in areas of the brain and spinal cord that control coordination, muscle movement, and some sensory functions. Symptoms generally begin in childhood before puberty, and may include:

-Unsteady gait and uncoordinated movements (ataxia) -- gets worse with time
-No reflexes in the legs
-Abnormal speech
-Loss of coordination and balance, which leads to frequent falls
-Decrease in ability to feel vibrations in lower limbs
-Muscle weakness
-Changes in vision, particularly color vision
-Hearing loss -- occurs in about 10% of patients
-Jerky eye movements
-Foot problems, such as hammer toe and high arches
-Muscle problems lead to changes in the spine, which may result in scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis.
-Heart disease usually develops and may lead to heart failure. Death may result from heart failure or dysrhythmias that do not respond to treatment. Diabetes may develop in later stages of the disease.

Treatment:

There is no cure for Spinocerebellar Degeneration.
However, occupational therapy or rehabilitation, which includes the usage of walkers, ankle-weights and heavy eating utensils to allow the patient more independent mobility and coordination, helps to prolong the rate of degeneration of the neurons, helping the patient to accommodate daily activities for a longer period of time, since contracting this disease.

The patient will have to use the wheelchair in the later stages of the disease.

Speech rehabilitation and communication aids help the patient as they often lose their speech ability, and might choke more frequently during meals.

Orthopedic interventions (such as braces) may be needed for scoliosis and foot problems.

Treatment of heart disease and diabetes may help improve the quality and duration of life.