It may be impossible to cure cerebellar ataxia in all patients, but identifying and resolving the underlying cause may resolve the condition in some cases.

Cerebellar ataxia is a general term used to describe a lack of muscle control or voluntary movements. The condition rarely occurs on its own and is usually indicative of another underlying problem – usually affecting the cerebellum.

Symptoms of cerebellar ataxia may include lack of balance, poor coordination, an unsteady gate, a tendency to stumble, fine motor skill difficulties (when eating, writing, buttoning a shirt, etc.), change in speech, nystagmus (involuntary back and forth eye movements), difficulty swallowing, and more.

What Causes Cerebellar Ataxia?

Most cases of cerebellar atrophy are caused by damage or degeneration of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is a round neurological structure positioned at the base of the brainstem. The neurological connections in this structure are responsible for muscle coordination and voluntary movements.

In some cases, damage to the spinal cord, nerves, or other parts of the brain may also be responsible for ataxia if the connections to the cerebellum are disrupted

Several conditions, accidents, and injuries may cause ataxia, including:

• Head trauma (sudden onset possible)
• Stroke (if a stroke causes depleted blood supply to the brain)
• Cerebral palsy (damage to a child’s brain before, during, or after birth)
• Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, and more
• Infections such as chickenpox or other viral diseases (may only be temporary)
• Tumors in the brain
• Toxic reaction to certain medications including Dilantin
• Alcohol and drug usage
• Poisoning from lead, mercury, and other toxins
• Vitamin E, vitamin B-12, or thiamine deficiency

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin is the brand name for phenytoin, a type of drug used to prevent seizure activity in the brain.

Manufactured by Pfizer, Dilantin may be prescribed to treat seizure disorders including epilepsy or others that cause tonic-clonic (grand mal) and psychomotor (temporal lobe) seizures. The drug may also be prescribed to patients who are undergoing brain surgery in order to prevent seizures from occurring during or after surgery. Unfortunately, although Dilantin may be a necessary medication for people who suffer seizures, there is some evidence that the drug may result in long-term damage to the cerebellum.

According to some research, Dilantin may build up in the body, leaving phenytoin deposits in the tissues. At high levels, this build-up may lead to adverse side effects including cerebellar atrophy or ataxia.

Cerebellar ataxia caused by Dilantin may be permanent. Although cerebellar ataxia caused by external factors may be paused or reversed by halting the cause of the damage, there is no evidence that it is possible to cure cerebellar ataxia caused by Dilantin. However, people who have suffered from Dilantin-related cerebellar ataxia may be able to stop the damage from progressing further by speaking to their physician about stopping the medication. People who have suffered cerebellar ataxia related to long-term Dilantin use may be eligible to hire an experienced attorney to review their case and determine whether they qualify to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Can You Cure Cerebellar Ataxia?

Cerebellar ataxia can only be cured in certain situations. There is no universal method to cure cerebellar ataxia. Because the condition can have many causes, treatment will likely center around addressing underlying causes which may or may not resolve the issue.

Some patients with acquired ataxia (caused by medication, vitamin deficiency, or infection) may be remedied relatively easily. For example, patients who develop cerebellar ataxia from taking Dilantin may be able to recover from the condition by eliminating the medication. However, even in these situations, ataxia symptoms may continue.

However, in most cases, cerebellar ataxia cannot be cured. The condition is often caused by permanent or progressive damage to the cerebellum from an accident or injury such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury. This damage usually cannot be undone.

In cases where a doctor cannot cure cerebellar ataxia, treatment may include interventions to maintain a patient’s independence and improve symptoms.

Adaptive devices such as walkers or canes may help a patient feel independent and avoid needing a caretaker for all daily tasks. Medications may be able to treat the symptoms of cerebellar ataxia. In episodic ataxia, which comes and goes, avoiding triggers like stress, alcohol, and caffeine may lessen the condition’s impact. In all patients, physical therapy, occupation, speech therapy, and aerobic exercise may assist in slowing the condition’s progression and retaining some amount of muscle control.