[Therapeutic use of botulinum A toxin in neurology].

Abstract

The highly potent neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum lead to botulism when ingested in appreciable amounts. However, botulinum toxin injections delivered intramuscularly in very small quantities can produce a therapeutically intended focal paresis while producing only negligible local or systemic side effects. Over the past several years, various neurological disorders, especially those involving increased muscle tone and/or abnormal movements, have been successfully treated with local botulinum A toxin injections. The success of this method has led to a general change in the management of blepharospasm, torticollis spasmodicus, hemifacial spasm, and other disorders. Treatment is usually effective for 4 to 12 weeks; if symptoms recur, the injections can be repeated over a period of several years, usually with the same success. Side effects depend on the site of the injections, and are rare at the optimal dosage and always reversible. For optimum therapeutic results, this treatment must be restricted to specialized centers.

• Authors: P Schnider, M Schmied, T Berger, E Auff
• Journal: Wiener klinische Wochenschrift (Wien Klin Wochenschr) Vol. 106 Issue 11 Pg. 335-44 ( 1994) ISSN: 0043-5325 [Print] Austria
• Vernacular Title: Therapeutische Anwendung von Botulinum A-Toxin in der Neurologie.
• PMID: 8053201 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Botulinum Toxins

Topics

• Botulinum Toxins (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Neurologic Examination (drug effects)
• Neuromuscular Diseases (etiology, rehabilitation)