ataxia

noun

atax·ia ə-ˈtak-sē-ə

(ˌ)ā-

: 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

ataxic

ə-ˈtak-sik

(ˌ)ā-

adjective

Examples of ataxia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Understanding the mechanism of action for cystinosis, Cherqui said, has turned out to be quite relevant to treating Friedreich’s ataxia, another inherited rare disease than affects 1 in 40,000 people. —

Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2023 The league determined any player showing signs of ataxia – where an abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination or dysfunctional speech is caused by a neurological issue – is prohibited from returning to a game. —

Stephen Borelli, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023 Treating Friedreich’s ataxia, by the digits 5,000: Number of patients diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia in the US 150%: How much Reata’s stock jumped in after-hours trading on the news of Skyclarys’ FDA approval. —

Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2023 That represents about 10% of U.S. adults with Friedreich’s ataxia, which can result in brain and nervous system damage. —

Paul O'Donnell, Dallas News, 12 May 2023 As part of the decision to stop bardoxolone testing, Reata will amend a commercialization agreement with Blackstone Life Sciences and pay the financial backer a 5.5% to 7.5% royalty on sales of the Friedreich’s ataxia drug. —

Paul O'Donnell, Dallas News, 12 May 2023 What is Friedreich’s ataxia? —

Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2023 The treatment is an oral, once-daily medication indicated for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older in the US. —

Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2023 This time, the drug in question is called omaveloxolone, which its maker Reata Pharmaceuticals is developing as a treatment for people with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a rare, neurological disease that causes progressive damage to the brain, nervous system, and muscles. —

Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 17 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ataxia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek ataxía "lack of discipline, disorder, confusion," from a- a- entry 2 + -taxia, from táxis "drawing up in rank and file, order of battle, order, arrangement" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at taxis