OLIVOPONTOCEREBELLAR ATROPHY

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
As has been emphasized elsewhere,1 the classification of the cerebellar atrophies of Marie, Foix and Alajouanine2 as congenital, familial and acquired is the most workable. Some forms of cerebellar atrophy, as for instance sclerotic, which is also known by other names,1 possess distinct pathologic features, but the clinical picture may be so indefinite and obscure that they often remain clinically unrecognized. Conversely, other types, especially the hereditary and familial, generally known as heredocerebellar ataxia of Pierre Marie,3 have a pronounced clinical but, as is generally assumed, an altogether indefinite pathologic picture. Thus, this exquisitely familial and hereditary morbid condition may occur as a combined degeneration of the cerebellum, pons and medullary olives, that is, as olivopontocerebellar atrophy which, according to Dejerine and Andrè Thomas,4 Loew5 and others, is neither hereditary nor familial. However, a number of cases of olivopontocerebellar atrophy have been reported, usually