Coenzyme Q10 and cerebellar ataxia:
Cerebellar ataxia is a complex motor problem that can occur as a result of many diseases and presents with symptoms of an inability to coordinate balance and movement. Concentrations of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) were measured in muscle biopsies of 135 patients with genetically undefined cerebellar ataxia. CoQ10 levels were found to be much lower in 13 patients with childhood-onset ataxia and cerebellar atrophy suffering from seizures, developmental delay, mental retardation, and pyramidal signs (the pyramidal system controls all of our voluntary movements). The authors conclude that these findings show the existence of an ataxic presentation of CoQ10 deficiency that may be responsive to CoQ10 supplementation. (29)