An abnormality of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). The VOR attempts to keep the image stable on the retina. Ideally passive or active head movements in one direction are compensated for by eye movements of equal magnitude.

Cerebellar ataxia refers to ataxia due to dysfunction of the cerebellum. This causes a variety of elementary neurological deficits including asynergy (lack of coordination between muscles, limbs and joints), dysmetria (lack of ability to judge distances that can lead to under- or overshoot in grasping movements), and dysdiadochokinesia (inability to perform rapid movements requiring antagonizing muscle groups to be switched on and off repeatedly).

Vertical nystagmus may present with either up-beating or down-beating eye movements or both. When present in the straight-ahead position of gaze it is referred to as upbeat nystagmus or downbeat nystagmus.