For which condition is ataxia a symptom?

Ataxia refers to a lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements, which can affect gait and balance. Wernicke's encephalopathy is a neurological condition typically caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, often seen in individuals with chronic alcoholism. One of the hallmark symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy is ataxia due to the involvement of the cerebellum and the brainstem, affecting the pathways responsible for motor control and balance.

In this condition, the neurological deficits can include confusion, ophthalmoplegia (eye movement abnormalities), and ataxia, which collectively can indicate the presence of Wernicke's encephalopathy. The other conditions listed do not prominently exhibit ataxia as a primary symptom, focusing instead on different pathological mechanisms and symptoms, such as cognitive impairments in Korsakoff psychosis or joint stiffness and pain in gout and osteoarthritis.