Therapy | Cerebellar atrophy

Therapy

If there is an underlying disease (in the symptomatic form), it should be treated first.Depending on the cause, (additional) specific, individually oriented measures are recommended. Studies on the effectiveness of a drug treatment of the various complaints have not yet been scientifically completed. In one study, success was observed in the treatment of ataxias (e.g. gait insecurity) with Riluzol®.

However, since the number of participants in the study was small, it should be viewed critically and extended by further studies. For the treatment of tremor in targeted movements, for example, propanolol, carbamazepine, topiramate and clonazepam were used. In some cases, however, a worsening of the symptoms could be observed.

In disorders of eye movement, the treatment of eye tremor is distinguished from the treatment of double vision. For eye tremors, treatment with baclofen, gabapentin and 3,4-diaminopyridine is recommended according to guidelines. Prismatic glasses sometimes provide support for double vision.

Some patients also benefit from targeted eye muscle training. Depending on the other accompanying symptoms, the guidelines recommend various medications to alleviate the symptoms. Here, the side effects should be taken into account and an individually tailored treatment with the help of a specialist should be sought. In order to maintain independence and participation in everyday life, targeted ergotherapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy are recommended. The contents of the therapies should be based on the complaints, resources and goals of the person concerned and also integrate a consultation with relatives and aids.

What is the life expectancy?

Since the reason for a cerebellar atrophy is not always the same, nothing can be said about life expectancy. One must look at each cause individually. In general, one can say that life expectancy for the symptomatic cause is determined by the actual underlying disease.

These include, for example, the paraneoplastic symptom in the case of small cell bronchial carcinoma with a 5-year survival rate of approx. 15%, or in the case of ovarian cancer with a 5-year survival rate of approx. 40%.

Alcoholism also falls under this point. Studies have found that alcoholics live about 20 years shorter. Regarding the hereditary causes, i.e. those that are hereditary, no statement can be made about life expectancy, as no clear tendencies could be found even in the subgroups of hereditary cerebellar atrophies.

However, one can make general statements about quality of life. Cerebellar atrophy is usually a slow, chronically worsening disease. The hereditary form can only be treated symptomatically.

There are many different specialist departments, such as speech therapy, ergotherapy and physiotherapy, which can help. In this way it is hoped that the progression of the disease will be delayed. Due to the insecurity of walking, a wheelchair is often required after many years, but this varies from patient to patient. The symptomatic form of the disease in particular is that if the toxin (for example alcohol) is abstinent, there is no further decay of the brain tissue.