What does AOA mean in MEDICAL

Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia (AOA) is a rare neurological disorder that affects movement, vision and coordination. It is a form of ataxia, which is a group of neurological disorders that affect balance and coordination due to damage to the cerebellum. AOA specifically causes problems with movement in the eyes, arms and legs.

AOA typically affects children between 2-4 years old who have difficulty controlling their eye movements. It can also sometimes occur in adults but it is much less common.

The main sign of AOA is poor coordination when making voluntary movements such as walking or even holding objects steady. Other signs may include lack of facial expressions, drooping eyelids, jerky eye movements, impaired speech or language skills, clumsiness when using hands or feet, tremors in the limbs, visual disturbances such as double visions or blind spots in their vision.

A doctor will typically start by doing a physical exam to look for signs of muscle weakness or abnormal reflexes. They will then use imaging tests like MRI scans to get an inside look at the brain structure and detect any abnormalities in the cerebellum region. Blood tests can help determine if there are any other conditions present such as infections or vitamin deficiencies that might be causing the symptoms.

There is currently no cure for AOA however there are treatments available that can help manage symptoms such as physical therapy to improve motor skills and balance or occupational therapy to work on daily living activities and learning new skills. Medications may also be prescribed depending on the individual's needs.