Intralimb incoordination in patients with ataxia

Intralimb incoordination needs to be distinguished from interlimb incoordination, which is observed in Parkinson's disease (PD). With this aim, intra and inter-limb coordination impairment in the lower limbs were measured in 13 patients with cerebellar ataxia during pedaling of an ergometer with left and right pedals that can be rotated independently. Intralimb incoordination in patients with cerebellar ataxia was compared with interlimb incoordiation in patients with PD. We concluded that impairment of intralimb coordination in ataxia patients leads to inability to maintain pedaling amplitude and speed, but unlike in PD, right and left coordination was roughly preserved. Our method may be useful for assessing the severity of ataxia and detecting hidden parkinsonism in ataxic patients.