Cerebral ataxia....?

What are the long-term effects that someone with cerebral ataxia (caused by an underdeveloped cerebellum) could expect to encounter? Conditions (general lack of balance and difficulty with some speech) currently do not seem to be changing for the better or worst, although patient thinks they are getting worse. Patient is approximately 30 years of age. Is a "normal" lifespan probable? Thanks!

What I think you mean is cerebellar ataxia rather than cerebral ataxia.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to give you any further specific details because cerebellar ataxia is actually not one disease - it is a symptom of MANY neurological diseases, in some it is a minor feature and in others it is a major feature. Furthermore, depending on the cause cerebellar ataxia may be completely stable or may progress rapidly, or may just very slowly deteriorate.

As I said there are many many causes, including a lot of different genetic diseases (spinocerebellar ataxias 1 - 17, DRPLA, ataxia telangiectasia, friedreich's ataxia, etc etc), alcohol overuse, drug side effects, trauma, cerebellar stroke. For many of these conditions a normal lifespan is expected.

However, I'm afraid as is usually the case with healthcare related questions the only advice that I can give is to see your neurologist. Medical investigations can give a much clearer idea of the exact cause and sometimes pick up a very specific diagnosis and it is much more reliable to predict prognosis on that basis.

Sorry I can not be of more direct help, but hopefully the above information will be useful.