Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
A Simple Composite Phenotype Scoring System for Evaluating Mouse Models of Cerebellar Ataxia
Published on: May 21, 2010
Use of buspirone for treatment of cerebellar ataxia. An open-label study
J S Lou1, L Goldfarb, L McShane
1Human 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.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients