Ataxia from lithium toxicity successfully treated with high-dose buspirone: a single-case experimental design

Injury to the cerebellum commonly results in clumsiness or uncoordinated movement, which is referred to as ataxia. The severity of ataxia varies according to the extent of the lesion. Severe ataxia usually restricts activities of daily living, impairs mobility, and increases level of disability. Recent studies investigating use of serotonin agonists in the treatment of ataxia have produced mixed results; however, buspirone with an affinity specific to the 5-hydroxytryptamine(1A) subreceptors has shown promise. In this brief report, we use a prospective, open, single-case experimental design to describe substantial subjective and objective dose-dependent improvement of ataxia after unusually high doses of buspirone taken by a patient whose severe ataxia was due to lithium toxicity.