Cerebellar atrophy is a serious degenerative brain condition that can be caused by a number of factors. However, most people do not know that the possible causes of cerebellar atrophy include certain medications.

What is Cerebellar Atrophy?

Cerebellar atrophy is a condition in which the tissue of the cerebellum degenerates over time, losing neurons. The cerebellum controls movements such as coordination, speech, posture and balance.

If the cerebellum is damaged by a brain condition such as cerebellar atrophy, major bodily functions can be affected. Symptoms can include unstable eye movement, lack of control over body movements, tremors and issues with balance.

Treatment of cerebellar atrophy will vary depending on the causes of cerebellar atrophy involved. If it is caused by a neurological condition, then it may recede if that condition is treated. Other causes of cerebellar atrophy are certain medications. In these cases, treatment may be as simple as stopping the patient’s intake of the drug.

Unfortunately, others face more permanent consequences and are forced to deal with cerebellar atrophy symptoms as a permanent part of their lives.

Causes of Cerebellar Atrophy

The degenerative brain condition has been attributed to a number of causes, including injuries, neurological issues and medications.

Major causes of cerebellar atrophy include:

• Brain injury (such as a stroke or other traumatic injury)
• Neurological disease (including Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Huntington’s)
• Brain infections (including AIDS and encephalitis)
• Certain medications, including Dilantin

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin (also known by its generic name, phenytoin) is a popular anticonvulsant medication manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc. Dilantin and other anticonvulsants are intended to treat patients with epilepsy.

The seizures that people with epilepsy suffer are essentially the rapid firing of neurons in the brain, which can lead to uncontrollable outward physical movements. Dilantin works to stop these seizures in their early stages by preventing these neurons from firing at such a rapid pace. This helps to minimize a patient’s seizures, lessening the impact they can have on a patient.

Unfortunately, despite its undeniable benefits, Dilantin has also been implicated as one of the causes of cerebellar atrophy. The risk of cerebellar atrophy for Dilantin users is exacerbated by the length of time they have been exposed to the drug, as well as the strength of the dosage, according to a study published in Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy. However, some patients have experienced these symptoms on lower doses of Dilantin as well.

Patients who have suffered from cerebellar atrophy after using Dilantin may be in a position to take legal action against the drug’s manufacturer, alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately warn that Dilantin was one of the causes of cerebellar atrophy.

Dilantin Lawsuits

If you or someone you love has developed cerebellar degeneration side effects after using Dilantin or a similar drug, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Dilantin lawsuits allege that they should have been warned about the risk of cerebellar degeneration linked with phenytoin use.

Filing a Dilantin lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of cerebellar degeneration and its symptoms, but it can help to compensate for the financial expenses incurred by medical bills and lost wages.