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Olivopontocerebellar atrophy

Alternative Names:

OPCA; Olivopontocerebellar degeneration

Treatment:

There is no specific treatment or cure for this disease. Therapy is aimed at treating symptoms and preventing complications. This may include techniques to prevent choking, speech and physical therapy, and walking aids to help with balance and prevent falls.

Expectations (prognosis):

The disease slowly gets worse, and there is no cure. The outlook is generally poor. However, it may be years before someone becomes significantly disabled.

Complications:

Complications may include injury from falls, choking, and aspiration pneumonia (infection following inhalation of food into the lungs), and nutrition problems due to difficulty swallowing.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of olivopontocerebellar atrophy. Referral to a neurologist is necessary.

Central nervous system

Review Date: 9/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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