Cause 3. Autoimmune Diseases: When Defenses Turn Destructive
Autoimmune diseases present a paradoxical scenario wherein the body’s defense mechanisms ironically become its own enemy. In these instances, the immune system erroneously targets and damages its own tissues, mistakenly identifying them as foreign. In the context of cerebellar ataxia, it’s crucial to understand that these autoimmune diseases can directly attack the cerebellum, the brain region primarily responsible for motor coordination.
Multiple sclerosis, for instance, is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the progressive degradation of nerve fibers’ protective sheaths within the brain and spinal cord. The cerebellum, being densely populated with nerve fibers, often falls victim to this relentless attack, leading to coordination and balance issues typical of ataxia. It’s worth noting that the severity of cerebellar symptoms may vary based on the degree and location of demyelination within the cerebellum.
Similarly, another autoimmune condition, celiac disease, can surprisingly be linked to cerebellar ataxia. Known as gluten ataxia, this condition results from an immune response to gluten, causing inflammation and damage to the cerebellum over time. While the digestive issues of celiac disease are well-known, neurological implications like gluten ataxia are less so, indicating a pressing need for further awareness and understanding. (3)
