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An Open-Label Study

Jau-Shin Lou, MD, PhD; Lev Goldfarb, MD, PhD; Lisa McShane, PhD; Plamen Gatev, MD, PhD; Mark Hallett, MD

Arch Neurol. 1995;52(10):982-988.

Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy of buspirone hydrochloride, a serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine_1A) 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.

Author Affiliations
From the Human Motor Control Section, Medical Neurology Branch (Drs Lou, Goldfarb, Gatev, and Hallett), and the Biometry and Field Studies Branch (Dr McShane), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.

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