Which disorder is characterized by degenative changes in the cerebellum leading to loss of coordination?

Friedreich's ataxia is characterized by progressive degenerative changes in the cerebellum and spinal cord, particularly affecting sensory pathways and motor control. The degeneration leads to a loss of coordination, which is a hallmark symptom of the disorder. Patients typically exhibit gait abnormalities, difficulty with movements due to impaired coordination, and may experience muscle weakness.

This disorder primarily affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements. As the cerebellar cells degenerate, individuals experience challenges in balance and coordination, which can greatly impact their daily activities and quality of life.

In contrast, while multiple sclerosis can also lead to coordination issues, it is primarily an autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system that can result in a variety of neurological symptoms, but it is not characterized by the specific degenerative changes seen in Friedreich's ataxia. Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders affecting movement and posture due to developmental issues in the brain, not typically associated with cerebellar degeneration. Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular junction disorder that leads to muscle weakness but does not directly cause the coordination loss linked to cerebellar degeneration.