This list is for agenesis (absence), hypoplasia (underdeveloped), and abnormal cerebellum's (the portion of the brain located at the back) which helps coordinate movement (balance and muscle coordination). Damage may result in ataxia which is a problem of muscle coordination. This can interfere with a person's ability to walk, talk, eat, and to perform other self care tasks. Cerebellar and/or vermian hypoplasia is seen in several congenital disorders including Dandy-Walker complex, Joubert syndrome, rhombencephalosynapsis, and the hereditary ataxias which are a group of complex and poorly understood disorders. These patients present with hereditary ataxia which may be progressive, developmental and/or speech delay to a variable degree. Some patients with cerebellar atrophy are found to have autism. A unique form of cerebellar hypoplasia is autosomal recessive with multiple cases reported in the same families often with consanguinity. Other causes of cerebellar hypoplasia, which tend to be seen more in adults, include autosomal dominant cerebellar degeneration where the cerebellum was normal initially, as well as toxic cerebellar atrophy which may be seen in alcoholism and chronic antiseizure medications most notably Dilantin. Come join others that have a similar diagnosis or parents of children with this diagnosis.

There is a Dandy-Walker list at http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/dandywalker

There is more info on Cerebellar Hypoplasia at http://www0.delphi.com/cerebellar

There is a Joubert Syndrome list at
http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/joubertsyndrome


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