Decades of research and studies have shown that the seizure medicine Dilantin may cause cerebellar atrophy, a type of cerebral atrophy affecting the cerebellum.

Dilantin (phenytoin) is an anti-seizure medication used in the treatment of epilepsy patients who experience grand mal seizures and partial complex seizures. Dilantin may also be prescribed to patients before or after brain surgery to prevent seizures. The drug can also be used in the treatment of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, aggressive behavior, Tourette’s syndrome, and ADHD.

Seizures are often triggered by environmental stimuli such as flashing lights. The seizure medication Dilantin prevents seizures by stabilizing the brain’s neurological response to these and other triggers. However, scientific evidence suggests that Dilantin may cause a variety of side effects including cerebellar atrophy.

Cerebellar atrophy is a degenerative form of cerebral atrophy which affects the cerebellum. Common causes of cerebral atrophy in the cerebellum include brain damage, stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, seizures, and cerebellar disorders.

Long term damage to the cerebellum can deteriorate the neurological connections in the round structure at the base of the brain. A healthy cerebellum helps regulate motor control and creates smooth balance, speech and coordination. When the cerebellum is damaged by cerebral atrophy or another condition, the body cannot efficiently regulate motor control. This can cause a variety of symptoms which closely resemble those of a stroke, including lack of balance, slow movements, lurching or unsteady walk, tremors, shaking, unstable eye movements, slurred or slow speech, and memory loss.

When the damage to the cerebellum affects a patient’s movement, they can develop a condition called ataxia. Mayo Clinic describes ataxia as an abnormal lack of coordination. It can be a symptom of cerebellar degeneration. The condition can cause issues with fine motor skills, vision problems, speech problems, and stumbling during walking.

Unfortunately, problems associated with cerebellar degeneration cannot always be treated. Such is the case with ataxia. Johns Hopkins explains that in most cases, medication does not help to slow the progression of ataxia, and this would most likely be the case if ataxia was connected to cerebellar degeneration. In some cases, drug therapies may help reduce the tremors linked to ataxia. Tremors can result from damage to the cerebellum, as can leg spasticity.

In dealing with the symptoms of cerebellar atrophy, including ataxia, physical and occupational therapy may be the best route. Physical therapy and occupational therapy may help patients with movement problems related to cerebellar degeneration go through life with ease and independence. Patients with ataxia may require adaptive devices like wheelchairs or walkers to help them move around. Patients with ataxia may be at risk for falling or having other accidents, so adapting a patient’s environment to help them be safest may be helpful.

Additionally, Johns Hopkins explains that patients experiencing ataxia may benefit from proper diet, mental and physical exercise, and quality sleep.

The relationship between the seizure medication Dilantin and the development of cerebral atrophy in the cerebellum is not fully understood, but decades worth of studies have shown that the link exists.

In 1994, a scientific study further examined the link between cerebellar atrophy and Dilantin while also considering that seizures, which Dilantin is prescribed to treat, can also lead to cerebral atrophy in the cerebellum. This study found that, even when accounting for the effects of seizure neurological damage, there exists a statistically significant relationship between Dilantin use and the development of cerebral atrophy.

Further studies have expanded on the relationship and revealed new facts about how and why Dilantin contributes to cerebral atrophy. A study explored the occurrence of cerebellar atrophy in children and found that the condition does not only affect adults on Dilantin. Other studies showed that the risk for developing cerebellar atrophy increases with drug serum levels in the blood and is most common when drug serum levels are above the recommended therapeutic range. However, the condition is possible when drug serum levels are within he recommended range.

Although cerebellar atrophy can be a debilitating condition, scientific evidence suggests that recovery may be possible. After discontinuing Dilantin, patients experiencing cerebral atrophy have been able to recover, but report that some symptoms continue, particularly a persistent lack of muscle coordination.

If you or a loved one experienced cerebellar or cerebral atrophy as a result of treatment with Dilantin, you may be eligible to participate in a Dilantin cerebellar atrophy lawsuit investigation. A Dilantin cerebral atrophy lawsuit could potentially recover compensation for damages sustained from the medication including medical expenses, permanent disability, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and more.