Editing Ataxia (section)

=== Exogenous substances (metabolic ataxia) ===
[[Exogenous]] substances that cause ataxia mainly do so because they have a depressant effect on central nervous system function. The most common example is [[ethanol]] (alcohol), which is capable of causing reversible cerebellar and vestibular ataxia. Chronic intake of [[ethanol]] causes atrophy of the [[cerebellum]] by oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stresses induced by [[thiamine]] deficiency.<ref name="pmid34444449">{{cite journal | vauthors = Mitoma H, Manto M, Shaikh AG | title = Mechanisms of Ethanol-Induced Cerebellar Ataxia: Underpinnings of Neuronal Death in the Cerebellum | journal = International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | volume = 18 | issue = 16 | pages = 8678 | date = August 2021 | pmid = 34444449 | pmc = 8391842 | doi = 10.3390/ijerph18168678 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

Other examples include various prescription drugs (e.g. most [[antiepileptic drugs]] have cerebellar ataxia as a possible [[adverse effect (medicine)|adverse effect]]), Lithium level over 1.5mEq/L, [[synthetic cannabinoid]] [[Dexanabinol|HU-211]] ingestion<ref name="Inadvertent Ingestion of Marijuana --- Los Angeles, California, 2009">{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5834a2.htm?s_cid=mm5834a2 |title=Inadvertent Ingestion of Marijuana --- Los Angeles, California, 2009 |access-date=3 September 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511211253/http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5834a2.htm?s_cid=mm5834a2 |archive-date=11 May 2011}}</ref> and various other medical and recreational drugs (e.g. [[ketamine]], [[Phencyclidine|PCP]] or [[dextromethorphan]], all of which are [[NMDA receptor antagonist]]s that produce a dissociative state at high doses). A further class of pharmaceuticals which can cause short term ataxia, especially in high doses, are [[benzodiazepine]]s.<ref name="pmid817697">{{cite journal | vauthors = Browne TR | title = Clonazepam. A review of a new anticonvulsant drug | journal = Archives of Neurology | volume = 33 | issue = 5 | pages = 326–332 | date = May 1976 | pmid = 817697 | doi = 10.1001/archneur.1976.00500050012003 }}</ref><ref name="pmid1888441">{{cite journal | vauthors = Gaudreault P, Guay J, Thivierge RL, Verdy I | title = Benzodiazepine poisoning. Clinical and pharmacological considerations and treatment | journal = Drug Safety | volume = 6 | issue = 4 | pages = 247–265 | year = 1991 | pmid = 1888441 | doi = 10.2165/00002018-199106040-00003 | s2cid = 27619795 }}</ref> Exposure to high levels of [[methylmercury]], through consumption of fish with high [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] concentrations, is also a known cause of ataxia and other [[neurological disorders]].<ref name="pmid19253038">{{cite book | vauthors = Díez S | chapter = Human Health Effects of Methylmercury Exposure | title = Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Volume 198 | volume = 198 | pages = 111–32 | year = 2009 | pmid = 19253038 | doi = 10.1007/978-0-387-09647-6_3 | isbn = 978-0-387-09646-9 }}</ref>