Need some answers

My mother was diagnosed with have Olivio ponto cerebellar degeneration, When she was in her 40's and she passed last year in March of 2008.  Now I believe that she got this sporadicly because no one in our family had this except my grandfather did  have similar symptoms but I think he was diagnosed with having Parkinson's. My question is because it may have been sporadic does that mean it could be hereditary and I myself can get it later in life? is there a test that can be done to see if I carry this disease?  Thanks for the help.