Ataxia vs. Apraxia — What's the Difference?

Ataxia is a medical term that describes a condition involving a lack of coordination in muscle movements. The problem with ataxia is that it interferes with a person's ability to walk, pick up objects, or perform other voluntary actions. Apraxia, on the other hand, is a neurological condition that affects a person's ability to perform learned movements, such as using tools, even when they want to and have the physical ability to do so.

It's important to note that while ataxia is often the result of damage to the cerebellum or peripheral nerves, apraxia is typically caused by damage to the cerebral cortex. Ataxia might manifest as shaky movements or an unstable gait, but apraxia manifests as an inability to perform complex movements like dressing oneself, despite understanding the task and having the intention to do it.

The root word for ataxia is "taxia," which relates to order or arrangement, suggesting a disorder of coordination. The root for apraxia is "praxis," relating to action, indicating a disorder of action or execution. While both conditions affect movement, ataxia pertains to the lack of effective coordination, and apraxia pertains to the inability to execute learned skills.

Both ataxia and apraxia are diagnosed through a series of clinical evaluations and tests. Ataxia evaluations may include MRI scans and nerve conduction studies, while apraxia assessments often involve neuropsychological tests and sometimes brain imaging. Even though both conditions may appear similar, they have different underlying causes and may require different treatment plans.

Disruption of muscle control usually due to nerve damage.

Neurological condition affecting execution of learned movements.

Loss of coordination in voluntary muscle movements.

Disorder impacting purposeful motor skills.

Degenerative condition affecting coordination.

Loss of skilled voluntary movements.

Inability to regulate voluntary muscle activities.

Inability to perform complex tasks despite understanding them.

Ataxia is a neurological sign consisting of lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements that can include gait abnormality, speech changes, and abnormalities in eye movements. Ataxia is a clinical manifestation indicating dysfunction of the parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum.

Disruption in brain's ability to plan motor functions.

The loss of full control of bodily movements.

Apraxia is a motor disorder caused by damage to the brain (specifically the posterior parietal cortex or corpus callosum) which causes difficulty with motor planning to perform tasks or movements. The nature of the damage determines the disorder's severity, and the absence of sensory loss or paralysis helps to explain the level of difficulty.

Loss of the ability to coordinate muscular movement.

Inability to perform particular purposive actions, as a result of brain damage

Any of various degenerative, often hereditary, disorders that are characterized by ataxia and are frequently associated with cerebellar atrophy.

Total or partial loss of the ability to perform coordinated movements or manipulate objects in the absence of motor or sensory impairment.

(pathology) Lack of coordination while performing voluntary movements, which may appear to be clumsiness, inaccuracy, or instability.

(neurology) Total or partial loss of the ability to perform coordinated movements or manipulate objects in the absence of motor or sensory impairment; specifically, a disorder of motor planning.

(chemistry) The condition of a polymer in which the orientation of the subunits is random

Inability to make purposeful movements, but without paralysis or loss of sensory function.

(obsolete) Disorder; irregularity.

Inability to make purposeful movements

Disorder; irregularity.

Irregularity in disease, or in the functions.

Loss of coordination in the voluntary muscles, especially the limbs; an inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements; it results in unsteady movements and a staggering gait. See also locomotor ataxia, an ataxia which occurs when attempting to perform coordinated muscular movements.

Inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements; unsteady movements and staggering gait

Neurological disorder affecting balance and coordination.

Apraxia is the inability to execute learned movements despite understanding and capability.

No, ataxia affects coordination, while apraxia affects the execution of learned movements.

Ataxia is a loss of coordination in voluntary muscle movements.

Usually brain damage affecting the cerebral cortex.

Through MRI scans and nerve conduction studies.

Often nerve damage, degenerative conditions, or issues with the cerebellum.

Treatment focuses on relearning lost skills; again, a cure depends on the cause.

Through neuropsychological tests and sometimes brain imaging.

Treatment focuses on improving coordination; a cure depends on the underlying cause.

Yes, both conditions can affect children, often with different underlying causes.

It can be, especially if caused by a degenerative condition.

No, it's generally considered a coordination disorder.

Yes, both can affect speech, but in different ways.

Not usually, but it can worsen without intervention.

No, but it can occur alongside certain types of dementia.