Patients who are prescribed Dilantin (phenytoin) should be wary for any signs of cerebellar atrophy symptoms to prevent permanent brain damage that may affect their movement and speech abilities.

Cerebellar atrophy symptoms vary in severity. Patients can typically expect to experience slow or slurred speech and issues with walking. This condition has no cure, but a number of treatments can be implemented to help mitigate the symptoms.

Also known as cerebellar degeneration, this condition primarily affects the cerebellum and its neurological connections. The cerebellum is primarily responsible for voluntary movements like speech, balance and coordination, making it a vital communication tool for the brain and spine.

If the cerebellum becomes damaged or deteriorates from disease, patients will find it increasingly difficult to perform basic tasks or even communicate to their friends and family. In general, cerebellar atrophy symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Unsteady or Lurching Walking Gait
• Slow, Unsteady, or Jerky Movements in Arms or Legs
• Slow and Slurred Speech
• Nystagmus (small rapid eye movements)
• Memory Loss

Dilantin patients who experience these or other potential cerebellar atrophy symptoms should report them to their doctor immediately, to receive treatment that can help minimize the side effects.

Overview of Dilantin Cerebellar Atrophy Correlation

Dilantin is one of the oldest antiepileptic drugs available in the United States, prescribed to treat a variety of epileptic conditions caused by overactive electrical signals in the brain.

Dilantin works by slowing down these electrical signals, which prevents the onset of seizures. While Dilantin has helped numerous patients throughout the years, its association with cerebellar atrophy is quite troubling.

There have been studies from as early as the 1990s that indicated phenytoin exposure could induce adverse reactions.

According to a 1994 study published in the Archives of Neurology, researchers noticed phenytoin could have adverse effects on the cerebellum when they observed a peculiar characteristic in the patients’ MRI brain scans. Researchers noticed patients had significantly smaller cerebella compared to non exposed patients, which led to later studies further indicating a correlation.

One of these studies was a 2003 inquiry, which found that cerebellar atrophy was more likely in patients who are prescribed Dilantin on a long term basis. Other studies have found similar results, with some even suggested that cerebellar atrophy can affect children who are prescribed phenytoin based medications for their epilepsy.

It is important to note that cerebellar atrophy can be caused by a number of contributing factors ranging from degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or traumatic head injury. Other factors can also include alcohol or drug use, or any other activities that could have potentially induced stress or damage to brain activity.

Even with all this in mind, phenytoin toxicity has been linked to cerebellar atrophy especially in patients who are prescribed the medication on a long term basis or are prescribed heavier doses. Patients who are concerned over this correlation should speak to their doctor and may undergo testing if they are concerned about potential brain damage.