CoQ10 deficiency is a recognized cause of progressive cerebellar ataxia with cerebellar atrophy, often beginning in childhood or early adulthood and frequently accompanied by seizures, peripheral neuropathy, and cognitive or psychiatric changes. Case series and larger cohorts show that many patients with primary CoQ10 deficiency have prominent cerebellar atrophy on MRI and mixed neurologic features, and in some reports seizures occurred in roughly one‑third of affected individuals. The hopeful aspect is that, unlike many hereditary ataxias, early and sustained CoQ10 supplementation has led to meaningful improvement or stabilization of gait, strength, and seizure control in a substantial subset of patients, which is why CoQ10 deficiency is emphasized as a treatable cause of cerebellar ataxia that should not be missed. This medication is commonly used for High Cholesterol.
Lamperti C, Naini A, Hirano M, De Vivo DC, Bertini E, Servidei S, Valeriani M, Lynch D, Banwell B, Berg M, Dubrovsky T, Chiriboga C, Angelini C, Pegoraro E, DiMauro S. Cerebellar ataxia and coenzyme Q10 deficiency. Neurology. 2003 Apr 8;60(7):1206-8. Artuch R, Brea-Calvo G, Briones P, Aracil A, Galván M, Espinós C, Corral J, Volpini V, Ribes A, Andreu AL, Palau F, Sánchez-Alcázar JA, Navas P, Pineda M. Cerebellar ataxia with coenzyme Q10 deficiency: diagnosis and follow-up after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. J Neurol Sci. 2006 Jul 15;246(1-2):153-8. Hirano M, Quinzii C, DiMauro S. Restoring balance to ataxia with coenzyme Q10 deficiency. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 246, 11-12. Naini A, Lewis VJ, Hirano M, DiMauro S. Primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency and the brain. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):145-52.
Some side effects may be linked to nutrient depletion caused by this medication.
Studies have shown that HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (also called statins) not only lower LDL-C and apoB plasma levels but also platelet levels of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). This powerful antioxidant is mostly concentrated in the mitochondria with multiple metabolic functions and a deficiency can negatively affect many parts of the body including the brain, muscles, kidneys and heart. Supplementation with CoQ10 may be beneficial to help protect against a deficiency when on a statin therapy.