Read more about this disease, some with Classification – Types – Signs and symptoms – Genetics – Pathophysiology – Diagnosis – Screening – Prevention – Treatment and management – Cures and much more, some including pictures and video when available.
Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) is a term used to define neuronal degeneration in the cerebellum, pontine nuclei, and inferior olivary nucleus. The use of the term has changed considerably in recent years due to the progressing knowledge of the genetic bases of the disease.
The term was originally coined by Joseph Jules Dejerine and André Thomas.[2][3]
The term “olivopontocerebellar atrophy” currently applies only to two hereditary disorders whose genetic basis remains unknown:
In the past, the term “olivopontocerebellar atrophy” extended to both the sporadic (non-hereditary) cases of the disease, which have been currently reclassified as a form of multiple system atrophy[4], as well as to four hereditary types, which have been currently reclassified as four different forms of spinocerebellar ataxia:
[tubepress mode=’tag’, tagValue=’Olivopontocerebellar atrophy’]