A preliminary study of the efficacy of ondansetron in the treatment of ataxia, poor balance and incoordination from brain injury.
BACKGROUND
Ataxia is caused by a variety of conditions leading to imbalance, incoordination and other disabilities. Current treatment is largely symptomatic. Ondansetron (a 5-HT3 antagonist) has been established as an anti-emetic in cancer patients, but has recently been shown to improve vertigo and cerebellar tremor in some patients.


OBJECTIVE
Ondansetron can improve symptoms of ataxia, imbalance and incoordination in four brain-injured patients.


METHODS
Placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover, 'n of 1' study, A-B-A design.


METHODS
Four patients with ataxia from traumatic brain injury.


METHODS
Four patients underwent five separate tests of ataxia under three different conditions in a double blind fashion.


RESULTS
For all subjects, there was little difference in scores in the five areas tested, with some improvement in tests of lower limb ataxia (10.4% for 4 mg and 10.7% for 8 mg ondansetron vs baseline).


CONCLUSIONS
Ondansetron use showed a trend towards improvement in tests of lower extremity ataxia but did not consistently improve scores in four patients.
Mandelcorn
Jeff
J
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Cullen
Nora K
NK
Bayley
Mark T
MT
D000328:Adult; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004856:Postural Balance; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017294:Ondansetron