Botulinum toxin for the treatment of movement disorders.

Abstract

After botulinum toxin was initially used to treat strabismus in the 1970s, others started using it to treat movement disorders including blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, cervical dystonia, spasmodic dysphonia, and oromandibular dystonia. It was discovered that botulinum toxin can be an effective treatment for focal movement disorders with limited side effects. Over the past three decades, various formulations of botulinum toxin have been developed and the therapeutic use of these toxins has expanded in movement disorders and beyond. We review the history and mechanism of action of botulinum toxin, as well as describe different formulations available and their potential therapeutic uses in movement disorders.

• Authors: Mary Ann Thenganatt, Stanley Fahn
• Journal: Current neurology and neuroscience reports (Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep) Vol. 12 Issue 4 Pg. 399-409 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1534-6293 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22661378 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Botulinum Toxins

Topics

• Animals
• Blepharospasm (drug therapy)
• Botulinum Toxins (chemistry, therapeutic use)
• Hemifacial Spasm (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Movement Disorders (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome