Cerebellar atrophy is damage, degeneration or loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls muscle coordination, the cerebellum, resulting in ataxia.

Some cerebellar atrophy causes include:

Stroke: One of the most common cerebellar atrophy causes is Stroke. When a stroke occurs, it can effect one of the three major arteries surrounding the cerebellar artery, leading to cerebellar degeneration.

Cerebellar Toxins: A large number of processes can lead to cerebellar atrophy such as anticonvulsant medications, chemotherapy, and alcohol.

Autoantibodies: The cerebellum may be injured by antibodies or other immune system disturbances, such as in in celiac disease or Gluten enteropathy.

One of the primary cerebellar atrophy causesthat has recently come to light is long-term use of the anti-seizure drug, Phenytoin.

About Phenytoin

Phenytoin (Dilantin) is a prescription anticonvulsant drug which was originally developed as a treatment for individuals suffering from seizures and other seizure-related disorders. The active ingredient in Dilantin is phenytoin sodium, and the drug functions by slowing down impulses in the brain which are responsible for causing seizures.

Dilantin was approved by the FDA in 1953 specifically to prevent grand mal and complex partial seizures associated with epilepsy, although the drug is also often prescribed for off-label purposes like anxiety control and mood stabilization, when physicians deem Dilantin treatment appropriate.

Dilantin is also indicated for the prevention and treatment of seizures occurring during or following neurosurgery. Dilantin is currently manufactured by Pfizer, Inc.

Common Phenytoin side effects include difficulty falling or staying asleep, confusion, slower thinking, vomiting, constipation, nausea, headache, or slurred speech. More serious side effects and symptoms have also been associated with long-term use of Phenytoin.

Cerebellar Atrophy Symptoms

Long-term use of Phenytoin has reportedly been linked to cerebellar atrophy. Phenytoin cerebellar atrophy symptoms include:

• Unsteady gait, including frequent stumbling or impaired coordination in the trunk or arms and legs
• Poor muscle control leading to trouble speaking, swallowing or performing other fine-motor tasks
• Uncontrolled or repetitive eye movements
• Vocal changes in tone, volume, and pitch
• Headaches
• Behavioral or personality changes
• Dizziness

Symptoms of cerebellar atrophy may onset slowly or rapidly, depending on why the patient’s cerebellum is degenerating.

Phenytoin Cerebellar Atrophy and Children

Dilantin is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Although in most cases it is now a second-line therapy, it’s still the drug of choice in the emergency treatment of seizures and epilepsy. As such, many children who suffer from a seizure disorder or epilepsy may be prescribed Phenytoin and may develop cerebellar atrophy.

Medical research has shown that Phenytoin may accumulate in the cerebral cortex over long periods of time, which can lead to atrophy of the cerebellum. The degree of atrophy is related to the duration of phenytoin treatment and is not related to dosage of the medication, putting children who take the medication at risk for developing cerebellar atrophy.

In one case that was reported, a four-and-a-half-year-old epileptic child on phenytoin therapy for one year presented with symptoms of cerebellar atrophy. It was found through a brain imaging scan that the child’s phenytoin levels were high and his brain showed severe cerebellar atrophy.

According to the report, the child’s cerebellar atrophy symptoms were likely representative of long-term phenytoin use and phenytoin toxicity.

Dilantin Lawsuits

If you or your child has suffered from cerebellar atrophy symptoms that you believe are associated with the use of Phenytoin, an experienced Phenytoin attorney can discuss your legal options.

You may have grounds to file a Dilantin lawsuit against Pfizer in order to seek financial compensation for your injuries, the medical expenses associated with Phenytoin, and the pain and suffering endured by you and your family.