ataxic dysarthria (includes scanning dysarthria)

Etiology

• cerebellar lesions
  • multiple sclerosis
  • neurodegenerative disorders affecting the cerebellum
    • Friedreich ataxia
    • spinocerebellar ataxia
  • heat stroke
  • anoxic encephalopathy
• lesions of the brachium conjunctivum

Clinical manifestations

• slowness of speech
• slurring, monotony & excessive separation of syllables
• coordination of speech & respirations is abnormal
• scanning dysarthria - words broken up into syllables
• myoclonic jerks involving muscles of speech may be superimposed on cerebellar ataxia

More general terms

• dysarthria