The cerebellum is a part of the brain that sits underneath the occipital and bilateral temporal lobes just behind the brain stem.

It is made up of two halves or hemispheres which together coordinate the learning and performance of voluntary muscular-skeletal movements like balance, talking, and coordination when walking.

Dilantin, a medication used primarily to treat seizures, has been linked to drug induced cerebellar atrophy—a shrinkage in this part of the brain.

The cerebellum is believed to be an older portion of the brain when viewed through the lens of evolutionary theory. Evidence of its presence has been noted in the fossil record of animals that were around prior to the dawn of humankind.

Within this small lobe is half of the transmitting nerve cells of the entire brain mass. Damage to this area, as in Dilantin drug induced cerebellar atrophy, will not likely cause intellectual impairment. It might cause slow, shaky movements and generalized trouble with balance, however.

What is Dilantin and What is its History?

Dilantin, also known generically as phenytoin, was discovered in 1908 by German chemist Heinrich Blitz. It was first used as a preventative drug to inhibit seizures while electroshock therapy was being administered.

It was not until the mid-1930’s that Dilantin was introduced as a general anticonvulsant medication and its popularity grew exponentially. It also sparked the development of many other drugs of its class.

While recent studies have implicated the long-term use of phenytoin in Dilantin drug induced cerebellar atrophy, it is still so “tried and true” that it is published on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) List of Essential Medicines, according to Wikipedia.

Today it is not considered to be a first choice for many epilepsy patients, but it is frequently used in emergency rooms to treat seizures and a potentially fatal condition known as status epilepticus.

A patient can be treated with Dilantin for approximately $30 a month, which makes it a good prescriptive choice for doctors when treating patients on a low or fixed-income.

Is It Seizure Disorder Induced or Dilantin Drug Induced Cerebellar Atrophy? 

Seizure-mediated brain cell loss can occur in patients with a chronic case of epilepsy. This can occur throughout the brain, including in the cerebellum.

Dilantin drug induced cerebellar atrophy has also been noted in people that have been on phenytoin for long periods of time. Since teasing out the true cause of this shrinkage is difficult, a study undertaken in 1994 took these factors into account.

This study utilized epilepsy patients that were alike except for choice of drug treatment. Other factors such as developmental disabilities and cerebral palsies and other outright brain damages sufferers of epilepsy were weeded out of the study group.

Then, by using magnetic resonance imaging and other diagnostic tests, it was discovered that those treated with Dilantin had smaller cerebellum areas overall in their brains.

Some people have no symptoms of cerebellar atrophy. For those who do, changing medications under the supervision of a qualified physician might alleviate symptoms.

Patients who suffered drug induced cerebellar atrophy may have legal options. A consultation with a products liability attorney can give you a good idea of your rights and options.