Symptom 9: Ataxia: The Disorienting Experience in Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
A disconcerting symptom associated with Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis is ataxia, a neurological sign characterised by a lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movements. Individuals with NCL may display abnormal gait, clumsiness, or instability, often mistaken as a simple lack of agility or growth spurt.
Initially, these symptoms might be brushed off as part of typical child development. Perhaps the child seems a bit clumsy, stumbles often, or has trouble catching a ball. These initial signs of ataxia might be dismissed as awkwardness or lack of physical prowess.
As NCL progresses, ataxia may become more noticeable. The child might begin to have difficulty walking, maintaining balance, or coordinating complex movements. These symptoms can significantly interfere with daily life, making tasks like feeding oneself, writing, or playing sports increasingly difficult.
The cause of ataxia in NCL is the damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that coordinates precise, voluntary movements. As lipofuscins accumulate, they cause the death of neurons in the cerebellum, leading to the loss of muscle control observed in ataxia. (9)
