What does AOA mean in LABORATORY

The most common symptoms include delayed development of motor skills, poor coordination, an unsteady gait, difficulty speaking, cognitive problems and vision problems such as strabismus. Other common symptoms may include speech difficulty, weakness on one side of the body, seizures and scoliosis.

Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia is usually diagnosed through a combination of neurological tests such as eye movement tests, MRI scans and genetic testing. This is then followed by an extensive clinical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis.

There is no cure for AOA currently available; however, there are various treatment options that can help to improve quality of life for those affected. These include physical therapy to help improve coordination and mobility; speech therapy to aid communication; occupational therapy for fine-motor activities; medications to reduce muscle spasms; nutritional counseling; psychological counseling; and assistive devices such as wheelchairs or walking aids.

Yes, there are a variety of support services available for individuals living with AOA including medical specialists who can provide advice on managing the condition, support groups where individuals can share stories and experiences and access to resources such as Assistive Technology providers who specialize in providing equipment specific to AOA.

Yes, AOA is caused by changes in specific genes which are inherited from one or both parents — usually only one copy needs to be mutated in order for a child to develop the condition.