Dilantin (Phenytoin) patients are becoming increasingly wary of the severe side effects associated with the antiepileptic drug, which has left many of them asking “What is cerebral atrophy?“

Even though Dilantin has been around since the 1950s and is considered one of the most reliable antiepileptic medications around, it has been reportedly linked to a number of serious Dilantin side effects.

Cerebral atrophy has become a recent concern to doctors and patients, as this is a permanent condition and can can only be managed.

What is Cerebral Atrophy?

Cerebral (brain) atrophy is when brain tissue deteriorates and loses neurons, which causes the body to lose control of certain movements.

The degeneration of the brain causes the electrical signals between the brain and body to malfunction, causing jerky and unsteady movements in the arms and legs. Several other symptoms of cerebral atrophy include slurred speech and small rapid eye movements.

There are a number of different causes linked to cerebral atrophy, including traumatic injuries like stroke or degenerative diseases like Alzheimers. However it has recently been suggested that this condition can be caused by drug toxicity, more specifically related to Phenytoin.

This has led to patients taking Dilantin or taking Phenytoin based medications to ask ‘what is cerebral atrophy?’

This condition can either be generalized in affecting the entire brain, or focal which usually attacks the cerebellum. The cases of Dilantin cerebral atrophy are typically focal, with the unsteady movements being likened to the damaged cerebellum.

The first study to observe this had been conducted in 1994, when scientists observed patients taking Phenytoin for their seizures. The study found that Phenytoin patients had smaller cerebelli compared to patients who had not been exposed to the drug, resulting in many patients wondering what is Dilantin cerebral atrophy.

Later studies have found similar results, including one from July 2003 published in the European Journal of Epilepsy. Researchers had once against examined Phenytoin patients, but these were specifically long term patients.

The study had analyzed 56 Phenytoin patients, and had found that 20 patients had developed cerebral atrophy. Researchers had also examined short term Phenytoin patients, but had concluded that patients with higher Phenytoin exposure were more likely to develop cerebral atrophy.

As mentioned before, cerebral atrophy is a permanent condition that has no cure. Dilantin patients who researched this condition after asking themselves ‘what is cerebral atrophy‘ should consult their doctors if they believe they are exhibiting any unusual symptoms.

In early stages, cerebral atrophy can be treated through medication, vitamins, and physical therapy. Even though this condition can cause permanent brain damage, cerebral atrophy is not mentioned on Dilantin’s warning label.

Dilantin patients who are asking ‘what is cerebral atrophy’ and believe they are suffering from the condition may be able to file legal action. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine their eligibility for a Dilantin cerebral atrophy lawsuit.