Inherited Ataxia and Intrathecal Baclofen for the Treatment of Spasticity and Painful Spasms

Berntsson S, G, Gauffin H, Melberg A, Holtz A, Landtblom A, M; Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2019. doi: 10.1159/000497165

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment is considered a powerful tool in the management of severe spasticity in neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and traumatic spinal cord and brain injury. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the ITB in patients with inherited ataxia suffering from severe painful spasms and/or spasticity. A total of 5 patients with spinocerebellar ataxia 3 or 7 or Friedreich’s ataxia were included in this observational multicenter study We report the potential beneficial effects of ITB treatment in patients with inherited ataxia who also suffer from spasticity/spasms. ITB treatment indication in neurological disorders allows for extension to the treatment of spasticity/ spasms in patients with hereditary ataxia.



Inherited Ataxia and Intrathecal Baclofen for the Treatment of Spasticity and Painful Spasms