Musculoskeletal System
What is the musculoskeletal system?
The musculoskeletal system is a system in animals which allows for the ability to move by incorporating the muscles, bones, and connective tissues. This system provides flexibility, stability, frame, and support for the body.
The musculoskeletal system is a system in animals which allows for the ability to move by incorporating the muscles, bones, and connective tissues. This system provides flexibility, stability, frame, and support for the body.
Alexander Disease indirectly affects the functionality of the patient’s musculoskeletal system, as the musculoskeletal system’s functionality is linked with the central nervous system. This is especially true with the involvement of muscles, as without the electrical impulses transmitted by the nerve cells, the muscles are unable to respond. This leads to a major condition linked with Alexander Disease in the musculoskeletal system: ataxia (poor coordination).
Ataxia
Any damage to the cerebellum may cause ataxia.Ataxia refers to the condition in which results in the loss of coordination in the physical body. Ataxia is caused by the damage to the nervous system (mostly damage in your brain, which in this case would be caused by Alexander Disease), and patients suffering from ataxia may experience symptoms including difficulties in walking, speech, vision, as well as difficulties in remaining upright (balance).
There are 3 main different types of ataxia: acquired, hereditary, and idiopathic late onset cerebellar. Acquired ataxia is the most common type, and refers to ataxia which the symptoms have developed over a short period of time due to damages to the nervous system. Hereditary ataxia refers to ataxia which was inherited by the patient from their parents due to a defective gene in the parent. Finally, idiopathic late onset cerebellar ataxia refers to ataxia which has been caused by a progressive damage to the cerebellum (the part of the brain responsible for motor activities).
Currently, there are no known cures for ataxia, although it may be possible to relieve the patient from symptoms through physical therapy sessions as well as administering dosages of supplementary drugs such as vitamin. In cases other than acquired ataxia, the symptoms progressive worsen, and therefore treatment revolves around delaying the symptoms as well as offering the patients therapies (physical, speech, etc) in order to aid the patient maintain their normal lives. There is no standard life expectancy, although generally the patient suffering from ataxia are at a higher risk of suffering from accidents. (14)
There are 3 main different types of ataxia: acquired, hereditary, and idiopathic late onset cerebellar. Acquired ataxia is the most common type, and refers to ataxia which the symptoms have developed over a short period of time due to damages to the nervous system. Hereditary ataxia refers to ataxia which was inherited by the patient from their parents due to a defective gene in the parent. Finally, idiopathic late onset cerebellar ataxia refers to ataxia which has been caused by a progressive damage to the cerebellum (the part of the brain responsible for motor activities).
Currently, there are no known cures for ataxia, although it may be possible to relieve the patient from symptoms through physical therapy sessions as well as administering dosages of supplementary drugs such as vitamin. In cases other than acquired ataxia, the symptoms progressive worsen, and therefore treatment revolves around delaying the symptoms as well as offering the patients therapies (physical, speech, etc) in order to aid the patient maintain their normal lives. There is no standard life expectancy, although generally the patient suffering from ataxia are at a higher risk of suffering from accidents. (14)