Nosological spectrum of disorders characterized by the combination of cerebellar ataxia and parkinsonism

The differential diagnosis of disorders characterized by the combination of cerebellar ataxia and parkinsonism presents significant challenges. This combination is observed across a wide range of sporadic and hereditary neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, and acquired (secondary) conditions. Multisystem atrophy represents the most common disorder manifesting both ataxia and parkinsonism. Additional common conditions include fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), Wilson—Konovalov disease, and autosomal-dominant spinocerebellar ataxias types 1, 2, 3, 17, and 27B. Other nosological entities are considerably less prevalent. This review provides concise descriptions and emphasizes the most relevant differential diagnostic features of disorders presenting with cerebellar ataxia and parkinsonism.