Dilantin is a widely used medication that has been prescribed for many decades to address seizure disorders. However, Dilantin patients have reported experiencing cerebellar atrophy symptoms, a serious condition that may be related to the use of the drug.

Dilantin was approved for use in the 1950s for seizure treatment. Generically known as phenytoin, Dilantin has been around since the early part of the 20^th century.

It is approved to treat tonic-clonic seizures, focal seizures, absence seizures and seizures during surgery. Some patients with seizure disorders take Dilantin daily.

However, cerebellar atrophy symptoms have been reported in patients who have taken Dilantin over a long period of time and studies have made the connection between cerebellar atrophy and long term use of Dilantin.

What is Cerebellar Atrophy?

Cerebellar atrophy is a condition in which parts of the brain shrink, or atrophy, over time. In the brain are billions of neurons. Neurons are cells that make connections in the brain through nerve impulses. Age and time can cause some of these neurons to degenerate or die.

There are other causes of brain degeneration as well. Tumors, seizures and even diseases like multiple sclerosis can cause neurons to die. Phenytoin, it has been shown, can cause neural degeneration in the brain in either focalized spots or over the entire brain as a whole.

When the entire brain experiences atrophy, it is called cerebral atrophy. When atrophy occurs in the cerebellum only, it is called cerebellar atrophy. When brain tissue in the cerebellum degenerates, the cerebellar atrophy symptoms can mimic those of a stroke.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain that lies to the rear of the brain stem under the cerebrum. It is made up of two halves, or hemispheres.

The cerebellum is responsible for regulating motor movements. It receives information from the senses, other parts of the brain and from the spinal cord and then controls the body’s movements.

Posture, balance, coordination and speech are regulated by the cerebellum. This part of the brain is also very important in learning motor behaviors.

Surprisingly, according to healthline.com, the cerebellum only makes up about 10% of the total weight of the brain, but it holds about half of the brain’s neurons.

Atrophy in this region can cause devastating effects. Cerebellar atrophy symptoms include the lack of balance, slow body movements, unstable eye movements and problems with speech including slowed or slurred speech. Damage to the cerebellum does not cause intellectual impairment. But it does make physical tasks difficult, unsteady or halting.

Watching for Cerebellar Atrophy Symptoms

If you or someone you love takes Dilantin for control of a seizure disorder, there are cerebellar atrophy symptoms to watch for. Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, abnormal body movements, unstable eye movements or confusion are symptoms worth discussing with your doctor. You may also benefit from speaking with an attorney experienced in cerebellar atrophy symptoms and Dilantin to discuss if legal action is right for you.