Diagnosis

Ataxia is diagnosed by observing symptoms and evaluating family medical history. Common symptoms of ataxia include lack of coordination in the arms and/or legs and slurred speech. (For more information on diagnosis of specific types of ataxia, see Types of Ataxia.) These symptoms may also be caused by other conditions, such as stroke or multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis relies on the history, clinical examination and diagnostic tests such as blood tests including genetic tests and imaging of the brain.