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Neurology (Expert Forum)
idiopathic cerebellar degeneration
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idiopathic cerebellar degeneration
by jao, Aug 18, 2005 12:00AM
My father was diagnosed with idiopathic cerebellar degeneration he is a 77 yr old Irish male.He was given a time frame of 5 yrs approx. this was in 1984 he is still with us. How is this
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Aug 23, 2005 12:00AM
Back in 1984 many cases which were termed 'idiopathic', ie just means no cause found, may be diagnosable today with modern technology. A repeat evalaution may be indicated.
There are a wide variety of causes of cerebellar degeneration from drug side effect (eg phenytoin) to alcohol to cerebral congenital malformations (eg Dandy Walker variant) to degenerative disorders (eg Olivopontocerebellar degeneration)genetic causes. There has been a huge expansion of genetic discoveries in the group of disorder known as spinocerebellar degeneration - if any other family members are involved, considr being evaluated for this.
The prognosis depends on the underlying cause.
There are a wide variety of causes of cerebellar degeneration from drug side effect (eg phenytoin) to alcohol to cerebral congenital malformations (eg Dandy Walker variant) to degenerative disorders (eg Olivopontocerebellar degeneration)genetic causes. There has been a huge expansion of genetic discoveries in the group of disorder known as spinocerebellar degeneration - if any other family members are involved, considr being evaluated for this.
The prognosis depends on the underlying cause.
I am dealing with "idiopathic" issues right now and this is what I gather in all my research and I feel it relates to your Dad! Doctors know "many things" but the things they can't figure out they name idiopathic, cause unknown. It goes to show, in your Dad's case, that he was stronger than his idiopathic condition!All the power to him!