Cerebellar brain atrophy has been closely linked to Dilantin adverse effects for the past few years after several significant studies were published.

While there are a number of severe Dilantin adverse effects patients should be aware of, cerebellar brain atrophy is one of the most prominent and can cause potentially permanent brain damage in patients.

More specifically, focal cerebellar brain atrophy has been linked to Dilantin adverse effects and has been found to be more likely in patients on long term prescriptions or have been exposed to larger amounts of the drugs’ core ingredient phenytoin.

Dilantin adverse effects were linked to focal cerebellar brain atrophy in a study published in the Archives of Neurology in 1994, when scientists discovered that phenytoin patients had significantly smaller cerebella compared to non exposed patients.

This study was initially conducted to observe how phenytoin affected the brain during its treatment process, with scientists noting the shrunken brains on diagnostic images.

Another study that indicated a correlation between cerebellar brain atrophy and Dilantin adverse effects was published in the medical journal Seizure in July 2003, which looked at the experiences of 56 epilepsy patients who were prescribed phenytoin. Researchers found that cerebellar brain atrophy was more likely in patients with longer phenytoin prescriptions.

Dilantin is one of the oldest and most well-known antiepileptic medications in the United States and is prescribed to a wide range of epileptic patients. This medication works by slowing the down electrical signals in the brain, which prevents the onset of seizures.

According to epilepsytalk.com, there have been a number of Dilantin adverse effects reported over the years including:

• Osteoporosis (weakening of bone tissue)
• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Gingivitis (overgrowth of gum tissue)
• Stevens Johnson Syndrome (rare allergic skin reaction)
• Purple Glove Syndrome (swelling and discoloration in arms and legs)
• Anemia
• Mood swings and behavior changes

Even with these serious complications, focal cerebellar brain atrophy remains one of the most prominent concerns for the country’s medical community.

According to the FDA, the agency had received 11,836 reports of Dilantin adverse effects and nine of these cases were cerebellar brain atrophy.

Overview of Dilantin Cerebellar Atrophy Severity

Cerebellar brain atrophy is a focal variant of general brain atrophy, in which the brain shrinks and loses vital neurological connections. This condition can be caused by a number of different factors including phenytoin toxicity.

Cerebellar brain atrophy impacts the cerebellum, which sits under the brain stem and is responsible for the body’s voluntary movements. Cerebellar brain atrophy causes a breakdown in communication between the brain and the rest of the central nervous system and can cause side effects including:

• Unsteady or jerky walking gait
• Slow, unsteady, or jerky movements in the arms or legs
• Slow and slurred speech
• Nystagmus (small rapid eye movements)
• Memory Loss

Dilantin patients who develop cerebellar brain atrophy will most likely have to undergo physical therapy or drug treatment therapy to help stave off the symptoms. While some symptoms may improve or eventually resolve, there is no cure for brain atrophy linked to long term Dilantin use.