Use of buspirone for treatment of cerebellar ataxia. An open-label study
J. S. Lou, L. Goldfarb, L. McShane, P. Gatev and M. Hallett
Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of buspirone hydrochloride, a serotonin
(5-hydroxytryptamine1A) agonist, in treating patients with cerebellar
ataxia. DESIGN: Open-label study in which 20 patients (14 with cerebellar
cortical atrophy and six with olivopontocerebellar atrophy) received
buspirone hydrochloride, up to 60 mg/d, for 8 weeks. SETTING: Research
hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical, physiological, and psychological
assessment. RESULTS: Nine patients with mild or moderate cerebellar
dysfunction who completed the study showed significant improvement in
clinical and self-assessment ratings, but not in a motor performance test,
posturography (data were incomplete), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and
Beck Depression Inventory. Seven patients with severe cerebellar
dysfunction who completed the study had no improvement on any measure.
CONCLUSIONS: Buspirone may be effective in treating mild to moderate
cerebellar ataxia. A double-blind study of the efficacy of buspirone in
cerebellar ataxia is warranted.