Midbrain ataxia: an introduction to the mesencephalic locomotor region and the pedunculopontine nucleus.

Abstract

Although gait ataxia is usually associated with cerebellar lesions, we review a less familiar cause. We present three patients with dorsal midbrain lesions and correlate these presentations with recent findings in the functional anatomy of the midbrain. We suggest that these lesions involve a well-studied but generally unfamiliar area of the dorsal midbrain known as the mesencephalic locomotor region. More specifically, we hypothesize that involvement of the pedunculopontine nucleus, a major component of the mesencephalic locomotor region, may be at least partially responsible for producing midbrain ataxia.