Decades of medical studies point to a link between exposure to Dilantin and movement disorders caused by cerebellar atrophy.

Dilantin, also known as phenytoin, has a long history of successful application as a treatment for certain types of seizures associated with epilepsy.

It was originally developed over a hundred years ago to treat convulsions that sometimes happened during electroshock therapy.

A few decades later, Dilantin’s effectiveness in treating epileptic seizures was discovered, and that led to the development of a new class of anti-epilepsy drugs.

Today, while Dilantin is not the go-to treatment for all types of epilepsy, it is still one of the most frequently prescribed drugs in the world.

Studies Link Cerebellar Atrophy and Exposure to Dilantin

Over the past several decades, case studies and reviews of medical records show that some patients who have exposure to Dilantin as a long-term treatment for seizures may end up suffering from cerebellar atrophy, also known as cerebellar degeneration.

Cerebellar atrophy is a type of focal cerebral atrophy that affects the cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that holds a lot of responsibility for controlling voluntary movement – including the most basic and everyday skills like maintaining posture and balance.

Patients with cerebellar atrophy may develop a movement disorder known as cerebellar ataxia. This condition can make ordinary daily activities difficult or even dangerous.

Cerebellar ataxia is characterized by a loss of control and coordination of basic movement. Patients may walk with an unsteady gait and find keeping their balance unusually difficult. Movement of their limbs may become slow, unsteady or jerky, and they may exhibit tremors throughout the body.

Smaller movements are also affected. Some patients report difficulty with speaking or swallowing food. They may also have trouble directing their gaze if they develop nystagmus, or repetitive and uncontrolled back-and-forth movement of the eyes.

Eye symptoms may progress to cause visual abnormalities like blurred or double vision, making reading or tracking objects difficult.

It’s not hard to see how a case of cerebellar atrophy can impair a patient’s ability to work and care for themselves. Ordinary tasks like writing, typing, speaking on the phone, or getting dressed may become significantly difficult.

In very advanced cases of cerebellar atrophy, the symptoms may go beyond just movement. Since the cerebellum is part of the brain, damage to it can lead to problems with other brain functions.

Patients with advanced cerebellar atrophy may develop cognitive or emotional problems. They can have trouble with executive functions like making plans or decisions. Some may also suffer from irritability, anxiety or depression.

Case studies recount the experiences of many epilepsy patients who developed cerebellar atrophy after years of exposure to Dilantin.

Some report their symptoms improved after stopping exposure to Dilantin and switching them to other anticonvulsant drugs, cluing their clinicians in to the possibility that Dilantin could have been the cause.

Though symptoms may improve, cerebellar atrophy has a chance of being permanent – and there is no known cure. Symptoms are treatable, though. Physical and occupational therapy can help a patient recover some of their lost skills, allowing them to continue living and working independently.