Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
08:51
Cerebellar Regional Dissection for Molecular Analysis
Published on: December 5, 2020
Cerebral oedema in episodic ataxia
L Crevits1, M Cambron, S Anseeuw
1Department of Neurology, Oto-neuro-ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. luc.crevits@ugent.be
Acta Neurologica Belgica
|May 1, 2009
Summary
Episodic ataxia, a rare neurological disorder, may cause cerebral edema after minor infections. This finding suggests a potential link between episodic ataxia and familial hemiplegic migraine.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Episodic ataxia (EA) is a group of rare inherited neurological disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of uncoordinated movement.
- Episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) is typically associated with mutations in the CACNA1A gene, leading to cerebellar dysfunction.
Observation:
- A patient diagnosed with presumed episodic ataxia type 2 developed cerebral edema following a common viral infection.
- The cerebral edema was a severe complication, disproportionate to the apparent severity of the infection.
Findings:
- Cerebral edema can be a manifestation within the clinical spectrum of familial episodic ataxia.
- This observation suggests a potential overlap in the pathophysiology or clinical presentation between episodic ataxia and familial hemiplegic migraine.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider episodic ataxia or familial hemiplegic migraine in patients experiencing severe neurological reactions to minor infections or trauma.
- Recognizing this association may improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management for these rare neurological conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
01:21Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology
Cytotoxic edema is a form of cerebral edema characterized by intracellular swelling of neurons, astrocytes, and other glial cells. It develops when the mechanisms responsible for maintaining ionic gradients across the cell membrane become impaired. Under normal physiological conditions, the sodium–potassium ATPase actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, preserving osmotic balance and enabling electrical signaling. This pump requires a continuous supply...
01:29Hepatic Encephalopathy
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...