Successful Treatment of Cerebellar Ataxia and Tremor in Multiple Sclerosis With Topiramate

Abstract

We describe the clinical efficacy of topiramate for treatment of cerebellar dysfunction in a 33-year-old female patient with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. The patient presented severe ataxia and tremor precluding many activities of daily life. Topiramate was administered as a monotherapy and slowly tapered in to 150 mg daily without negative side effects. Treatment was well tolerated and led to a marked and lasting improvement of tremor as well as ataxia during an observation period of 2 years. Upon transient withdrawal of topiramate, ataxia and tremor worsened but were again improved after re-dosing of the drug. Multiple sclerosis immunotherapy was not changed in this period. In conclusion, topiramate may be a new therapeutic option to treat cerebellar tremor and ataxia in patients with multiple sclerosis.