Cerebellar atrophy is a condition characterized by a decrease in the size or a wasting away of brain cells and tissues. It may result from malnutrition, abnormal cell or hormonal changes, stroke, or in some cases long-term use of the seizure medication Dilantin.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin (generic phenytoin) is an anti seizure medication. It is useful for the prevention of tonic-clonic seizures and partial epilepsm.

Dilantin may accumulate in the cerebral cortex over long periods of time which can cause atrophy of the cerebellum. The degree of cerebellar atrophy is related to the duration of Dilantin treatmentand is not related to dosage of the anti-seizure medication.

Cerebellar Atrophy Definition

Cerebellar atrophy is a serious progressive condition where the cerebellum shrinks to a much smaller size than normal. Essentially, cerebellar atrophy definition indicates it is a degeneration of the cerebellum, a section of the brain responsible for balance, voluntary muscle movements, and posture.

Cerebellar Atrophy Symptoms

People with damage to the cerebellum can experience symptoms like unsteady gait, poor muscle control, and trouble speaking or swallowing.  Cerebellar atrophy symptoms may onset slowly or rapidly, depending on why the patient’s cerebellum is degenerating.

Since seizures can also cause cerebellar atrophy, a 1994 study took this fact into account because patients taking Dilantin typically suffer from seizures. That study, which was the first to look at the connection, found that patients exposed to Dilantin as a group had significantly smaller cerebelli compared to non-exposed patients.

According to the researchers, cerebellar atrophy was noted in patients with Dilantin exposure. While some researchers attributed the findings to the nature of seizures, others indicated the condition was related to long-term use of Dilantin.

Other symptoms of cerebellar atrophy include:

• Impaired coordination in the trunk or arms and legs
• Frequent stumbling
• Unsteady gait
• Uncontrolled or repetitive eye movements
• Trouble eating and performing other fine-motor tasks
• Slurred speech
• Vocal changes in tone, volume, and pitch
• Headaches
• Behavioral or personality changes
• Dizziness

Causes of Cerebellar Atrophy

The cerebellum is the area of the brain responsible for controlling muscle coordination. If it becomes inflamed or damaged, a person may suddenly lose coordination. Damage, degeneration or loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls muscle coordination (cerebellum), results in cerebellar ataxia (unsteadiness).

The cerebellum comprises two ping pong-ball-sized portions of folded tissue situated at the base of the brain near the brainstem. The right side of the cerebellum controls coordination on the right side of the body; the left side of the cerebellum controls coordination on the left.

Diseases that damage the spinal cord and peripheral nerves that connect your cerebellum to the muscles also may cause cerebellar atrophy. Common causes of cerebellar atrophy include:

• Head trauma
• Stroke
• Cerebral palsy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Chickenpox
• Tumor

Additionally, cerebellar atrophy can be triggered by a rare toxic reaction to a specific mediation such as Dilantin.

Cerebellar Atrophy Prognosis

Atrophy of any tissue means loss of cells. In brain tissue, atrophy describes a loss of neurons and the connections between them. Atrophy can be generalized, which means that all of the brain has shrunk; or it can be focal, affecting only a limited area of the brain and resulting in a decrease of the functions that area of the brain controls

There is no cure for cerebellar atrophy and cerebellar atrophy prognosis for individuals with the disorder varies. Progressive cerebral atrophy is fatal because the atrophy spreads to all parts of the brain.

Cerebellar atrophy that is limited to a specific area of the brain affects normal functioning, however, it is not necessarily fatal.

Dilantin Lawsuits

If you have suffered from cerebellar atrophy symptoms requiring intensive treatment that you believe are associated with the use of Dilantin an experienced 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, treatment and medical expenses associated with Dilantin, and the pain and suffering endured by you and your family.