 Cerebellar ataxias are a diverse group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive motor impairment and vulnerability to degeneration. The underlying cause of these diseases has remained elusive, but recent studies suggest that a common path of physiological mechanism may exist. Specifically, it appears that alterations in the intrinsic membrane excitability of perkinje neurons, which are responsible for coordinating motor movements, may play a key role in the development of cerebellar ataxias. This hypothesis is supported by evidence suggesting that certain drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease, which also affect perkinje neuron function, can improve motor coordination in animal models of cerebellar ataxia. If confirmed, this finding could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating cerebellar ataxias. This article was authored by Haran Huang and Vikram G. Shakthai.