According to medical studies, Dilantin, a drug prescribed to treat epilepsy, is being linked to cerebellar atrophy, which is the degeneration of the cerebellum.

The degeneration of the cerebellum can impact and have a severe adverse effect on movement, speech and coordination.

Additionally, whereas the cerebellum does not initiate movement, it does contribute to precision, coordination and timing of movement. It is known to receive sensory information from other parts of the brain and the spinal cord, and inputs the sensory information into fine motor activity.

Dilantin, whose generic name is phenytoin, is used to treat epilepsy and seizures. It is commonly referred to as an antiepileptic drug. According to medical studies, cerebellar atrophy linked to Dilantin is one of the most significant side effects.

The term atrophy denotes any tissue whose cells and function begin to degenerate. The degeneration of cells causes the tissue or an organ to atrophy, or waste away.

Cerebral atrophy is the wasting away or atrophy of the brain. The brain tissues lose neurons and loses neural connection pathways. This causes the brain tissue to degenerate. Atrophy can be generalized affecting an entire area, such as the entire brain, or focal, affecting a specific certain area of the brain and its functions.

Focal cerebral atrophy when it affects the cerebellum is called cerebellar atrophy. It is the degeneration of the tissues and cells in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that sits behind the brain stem and below the cerebrum.

Functions of the cerebellum include regulating balance, coordination, speech, posture, and other voluntary movements. As mentioned, it allows for precise balanced and smooth movement.

Cerebellar atrophy linked to Dilantin results in damage to the cerebellum that affects the patient’s ability to balance and move with precise movements. It causes slow movement and tremors, and produces unstable eye movements as well as shaking.

Easy and mundane tasks soon become unsteady and difficult. Also, symptoms of patients who had suffered from stroke are fairly like those suffering from cerebellar atrophy.

Symptoms and Further Diagnoses of Cerebellar Atrophy Linked to Dilantin

Symptoms of cerebellar atrophy linked to Dilantin, include slow and slurred speech, nystagmus, or rapid and small eye movements, jerky and slow movements in the body’s lower and upper extremities, and a lurching and unsteady walking.

Cerebellar atrophy linked to Dilantin may further cause stroke, seizures and tumors. High levels of toxins in the brain linked from taking Dilantin have also been found to cause cerebellar degeneration.

Studies reporting on cerebellar atrophy linked to Dilantin have found concerning results, as well.

According to research, long-term use of Dilantin when “drug serum levels are above the therapeutic range” has been found to cause cerebellar atrophy. However, drug serum levels reportedly in the normal range have also been found to cause the same effect in developing cerebellar atrophy.

Studies have shown that not only is long term use of Dilantin a link to cerebellar atrophy but that “children who take Dilantin sodium to treat their epilepsy” have shown a link to cerebellar atrophy.

According to reports, moreover, cerebral atrophy recovery is possible with the discontinuation of the drug.