Definition of Olivopontocerebellar atrophy:

Olivopontocerebellar atrophy is a disease that causes certain brain areas to shrink.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Olivopontocerebellar atrophy can be passed down through families (inherited form), or it may affect people without a known family history (sporadic form).

The cause of olivopontocerebellar atrophy in those without a history of the disease is not known. The disease slowly gets worse (is progressive).

Symptoms tend to start sooner in people with the familial form. This disease is slightly more common in men than in women.