Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder, with reports stating that there are more than 200,000 U.S. cases per year. It may be the result of a genetic disorder or a developed brain injury such as one caused by a stroke or trauma.

During seizures, an individual experiences strange or abnormal symptoms, sensations and behavior. They may even lose consciousness. Moreover, there are even a few symptoms evident between occurring seizures.

Epilepsy is commonly treated by anticonvulsant drugs and in other cases it may be treated with medical devices, surgery and dietary changes.

Dilantin Induced Cerebellar Atrophy

Dilantin (phenytoin) is one of the more common anticonvulsant medications prescribed to treat partial seizures. Dilantin can be prescribed and taken either intravenously to quickly control an occurring seizure, or it may be prescribed to be taken daily to manage and prevent the occurrence of seizures.

Dilantin is specifically a part of a class of drugs that are known to slow the rate of neuron transmission within the brain, thereby preventing the formation of seizures.

However, there have been several adverse health effects linked to Dilantin. One condition linked to the anticonvulsant medication is a condition known as focal cerebral atrophy. The condition is defined as being shrinkage in the size of the brain. The condition may be generalized, affecting the entire brain, or it may be more focal affecting only particular locations of the brain.

According to reports, however, a more focal cerebral atrophy condition occurs with the use of Dilantin. Dilantin induced cerebellar atrophy affects the specific part of the brain known as the cerebellum.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain located at the back of the skull. Its primary function is to regulate and coordinate muscular activity. The cerebellum’s primary function, moreover, is to control functions such as, movement, coordination, speech and balance.

Therefore, patients who have been prescribed and who are taking Dilantin may develop issues with such functions and the coordination of muscular activity as a result of using Dilantin.

Symptoms of Dilantin induced cerebellar atrophy include the following: frequent stumbling; slurred speech; dizziness, headaches; impaired coordination in the torso, legs, and arms; unsteady gait; behavioral and personality changes; repetitive or uncontrolled eye movements; and trouble performing fine motor tasks.

There are also differing developing stages of cerebellar atrophy which include three phases. According to a report, the initial stage of Dilantin induced cerebellar atrophy includes symptoms such as dizziness while walking, inflexibility of movements, a lack of coordination in legs such as during climbing stairs, inability to job and stiffness of muscles.

The second stage of Dilantin induced cerebellar atrophy includes loss of coordination, aggravated heaviness, inability of the body to control posture and gait as well as the slurring of speech.

The advanced stage of Dilantin induced cerebellar atrophy includes loss of speech, the inability to stand up or sit and the impairment of intelligence.