Cerebellar atrophy is a result of cerebellar deterioration. The main symptoms of cerebellar atrophy include an unusual gait, a side-to-side tremor of the torso, speech effects, uncoordinated movement of the extremities, and a specific type of involuntary eye movement, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

What Is the Cerebellum?

The cerebellum is an area of the brain that consists of two bilateral lobes but is considered separate from its main body by location. As indicated by Wikipedia, it is placed posterior “to the brain” and above the brain stem. It resides just below the occipital lobe responsible for the interpretation of visual stimuli.

What Are The Main Functions Of The Cerebellum?

The aforementioned symptoms of cerebellar atrophy—a deterioration of nerve cells in this area of the brain—give us a clue about its function when it is performing well. The strange walk, uncoordinated arm and leg movements, and tremor tell us that the regulation and balance of motor activities is one of the lobe’s most critical jobs.

How Is Cerebellar Atrophy Diagnosed?

First, the patient is typically observed demonstrating the signs and symptoms of cerebellar atrophy. Perhaps they have revealed the tendency to fall over when upright or ambulating. Maybe they have exhibited the wide-based uneasy stagger coupled with movement of the body’s trunk that resembles quivering. A disturbing slowness in finding the words and ability to articulate thoughts might also be noted.

Symptoms of cerebellar wasting might also include trouble swallowing liquids or foods, and several visual complications. These complications could be experienced as double vision, or difficulty moving the eye to take in visual stimuli because of paralysis of extra-ocular muscles. Nystagmus—jerky movements of the eyes that are repetitive and beyond the control of the patient—are also commonly observed signs in sufferers of cerebellar atrophy.

Once these signs and symptoms have been observed, rooting out the cause becomes the next step. Unfortunately, this can be quite involved in that there are both genetic and acquired reasons why this atrophy might develop. The first step would be to rule out genetic elements with a DNA test. Secondly, acquired atrophy might be fully confirmed using imaging tests such as a CAT scan or MRI.

What Are Some Of The Causes For Cerebellar Atrophy?

According to the Mayo Clinic, cerebellar atrophy or ataxia can come as a result of head trauma occurring later in life or even from cerebral palsy, a brain-based birth injury. Additionally, a stroke or structural change in the brain such as the development of a tumor can bring it on. Systemic infections can play a big part in the condition as well as certain autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or celiac disease. Nutritional deficiencies in Vitamins E, B12, or thiamine which is common in alcoholism have been known to contribute to ataxia as well.

Can Medications Cause Cerebellar Atrophy?

Toxic reactions to certain medications have been linked in some situations to cerebellar atrophy. One of those reactions is to a “grandfather” seizure medication known as Dilantin. Since seizure disorders are also associated with smaller than average cerebellums, a study controlled for this factor and isolated the connection. In cases involving Dilantin, reducing the dose or switching to another medication has been proven to be effective. No change in drugs is encouraged without the consultation of the prescribing physician.