ataxia

atax·ia | \ ə-ˈtak-sē-ə

How to pronounce ataxia (audio)

, (ˌ)ā- \

Definition of ataxia

: an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements that is symptomatic of some central nervous system disorders and injuries and not due to muscle weakness

— called also incoordination

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Examples of ataxia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The second drug is Omaveloxolone, which will treat Friedreich’s ataxia, a genetic disease that often starts in childhood and can lead to brain and nervous system damage. — Natalie Walters, Dallas News, "Plano-based Reata’s stock soars 28% after scoring $350 million investment from Blackstone," 11 June 2020 The story of David and Charisse, who has cerebral palsy and ataxia, is documented in the second season of 9 Months with Courteney Cox, a Facebook Watch series. — Ally Mauch, PEOPLE.com, "Meet David and Charisse, the Couple Navigating Disability and Pregnancy on Courteney Cox Series," 12 May 2020 Like her mother, Kathy, and her sister, Kaila, Keyshanna had cerebellar ataxia, a genetic disorder that affects the brain. — Los Angeles Times, "When L.A. moved them off the streets, some knew it was their last chance. Others didn’t see it that way," 15 Aug. 2019 Both have Friedreich’s ataxia, an incurable disease of the nervous system. — New York Times, "Congress Saves Coal Miner Pensions, but What About Others?," 24 Dec. 2019 As a final test, the researchers tried it on a mutant ataxia protein. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Scientists find a way to target the protein behind Huntington’s disease," 1 Nov. 2019 As mentioned above, several forms of ataxia are caused by an expansion of the same amino acid that's duplicated in the Huntington's disease gene, and so these may undergo the same sort of interactions with these two chemicals. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Scientists find a way to target the protein behind Huntington’s disease," 1 Nov. 2019 The Huntington's disease protein is one of them, as are a number of proteins associated with genetic ataxias. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Scientists find a way to target the protein behind Huntington’s disease," 1 Nov. 2019 Proceeds from the event will benefit the University of Minnesota’s research and patient care focused on ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), ataxia, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, "Nelson Cruz is Twins’ 2019 MVP," 15 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ataxia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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ataxia-telangiectasia

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Cite this Entry

“Ataxia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ataxia. Accessed 18 Jan. 2021.

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