[Olivopontocerebellar atrophy].

A sporadic case of olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy in a woman aged 52 years is described. The diagnosis was based on a history of progressing cerebello-extrapyramidal syndrome lasting 10 years. Neuropathological investigations demonstrated much advanced changes typical of the condition in the brain stem and cerebellum. Moreover lesions of the lenticular nuclei and substantia nigra were revealed. The authors discuss the results of ultramicroscopic investigations reported as yet which suggest a possible role of infectious factors in the pathogenesis of the disease.