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Demchenko I, Swiderski A, Liu H, Jung H, Lou W, Bhat V. Botulinum Toxin Injections for Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Trial Landscape. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:191. [PMID: 38668616 PMCID: PMC11054929 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Botulinum toxin type A (BONT-A) has shown promise in improving the mood-related symptoms of psychiatric disorders by targeting muscles linked to the expression of negative emotions. We conducted a systematic review of past and ongoing efficacy trials of BONT-A therapy for psychiatric disorders to identify relevant trends in the field and discuss the refinement of therapeutic techniques. A comprehensive search for published clinical trials using BONT-A injections for psychiatric disorders was performed on 4 May 2023 through OVID databases (MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycINFO). Unpublished clinical trials were searched through the ClinicalTrials.gov and International Clinical Trial Registry Platform public registries. The risk of bias was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal tools for use in systematic reviews. We identified 21 studies (17 published, 4 unpublished clinical trials) involving 471 patients. The studies focused on evaluating the efficacy of BONT-A for major depressive, borderline personality, social anxiety, and bipolar disorders. BONT-A was most commonly injected into the glabellar area, with an average dose ranging between 37.75 U and 44.5 U in published studies and between 32.7 U and 41.3 U in unpublished trials. The results indicated significant symptom reductions across all the studied psychiatric conditions, with mild adverse effects. Thus, BONT-A appears to be safe and well-tolerated for psychiatric disorders of negative affectivity. However, despite the clinical focus, there was a noted shortage of biomarker-related assessments. Future studies should focus on pursuing mechanistic explorations of BONT-A effects at the neurobiological level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Demchenko
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital—Unity Health Toronto, 193 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1M4, Canada; (I.D.); (A.S.); (H.L.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Technology (iBEST), Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital—Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Alyssa Swiderski
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital—Unity Health Toronto, 193 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1M4, Canada; (I.D.); (A.S.); (H.L.)
| | - Helen Liu
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital—Unity Health Toronto, 193 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1M4, Canada; (I.D.); (A.S.); (H.L.)
| | - Hyejung Jung
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Wendy Lou
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Venkat Bhat
- Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital—Unity Health Toronto, 193 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1M4, Canada; (I.D.); (A.S.); (H.L.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Technology (iBEST), Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital—Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Neuroscience Research Program, St. Michael’s Hospital—Unity Health Toronto, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
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Farooqui AA, Fulkerson JM, El-Mallakh RS. Use of botulinum toxin A for depression symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar illness: A case series. Bipolar Disord 2023; 25:703-707. [PMID: 37926524 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Farooqui
- Integrative Psychiatry PLLC, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | | | - Rif S El-Mallakh
- Mood Disorders Research Program, Depression Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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Finzi E. Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Depression: A New Paradigm for Psychiatry. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:336. [PMID: 37235370 PMCID: PMC10224294 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials have shown that botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A), when injected into the frown musculature, is an antidepressant. This review outlines the conceptual narrative behind this treatment modality, starting with theory developed by Charles Darwin. We develop the concept of emotional proprioception and discuss how the muscles of facial expression play an important role in relaying valenced information to the brain's emotional neuroanatomical circuit. We review the role of facial frown musculature as the brain's barometer and transmitter of negatively valanced emotional information. The direct connections between the corrugator muscles and the amygdala are reviewed, and these provide a neuroanatomical circuit that is a logical target for treatment with BoNT/A. The centrality of amygdala dysfunction in the pathogenesis of many psychiatric disorders, and the evidence that BoNT/A modulates amygdala activity, provides the mechanistic link between BoNT/A and its antidepressant activity. Animal models of BoNT/A's antidepressant effects confirm the evolutionary conservation of this emotional circuit. The clinical and theoretical implications of this evidence, as it relates to the potential treatment of a broad range of psychiatric disorders by BoNT/A, is discussed. The ease of administration, long duration, and favorable side effect profile of this therapy is reviewed in the context of existing antidepressant treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Finzi
- Healis Therapeutics, 4041 MacArthur Blvd Suite 400, Newport Beach, CA 92660, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, George Washington School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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Kels L. Depression roundtable: Is there a role for BoNT? Toxicon 2023; 229:107148. [PMID: 37150483 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Depression can occur in the context of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. There are many effective and well-tolerated treatment options for most patients experiencing major depressive episodes, but for patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder or bipolar depression, current pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options can be less efficacious, well tolerated, or accessible. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) offers a novel approach to treating depression that is both safe and well-tolerated. Several potential mechanisms of action in depression are theorized, and studies support the efficacy of BoNT in major depression. Early data suggests that BoNT may be efficacious in bipolar depression and further study is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Kels
- University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine, 4301 Broadway, CPO 121, San Antonio, TX, 78209, USA.
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Zheng H, Wu L, Tian S, Liu M, Zhan Q, Yu X, Xie Y, Zhong X, Wu W. Effect of botulinum toxin type A on non-motor symptoms and quality of life in Meige syndrome. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1115482. [PMID: 36846150 PMCID: PMC9947842 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1115482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It has been shown in previous studies that botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) can effectively relieve the motor symptoms of Meige syndrome. However, its effect on non-motor symptoms (NMS) and quality of life (QoL) has not been comprehensively studied. This study aimed to explore the effects of BTX-A on NMS and QoL and to clarify the relationship between changes in motor symptoms, NMS, and QoL after BTX-A. Methods Seventy-five patients were recruited for the study. All patients were assessed by a series of clinical assessments before, one, and 3 months after BTX-A treatment. Dystonic symptoms, psychiatric disturbances, sleep disorders, and QoL were evaluated. Results After 1 and 3 months of BTX-A treatment, the scores of motor symptoms, anxiety, and depression were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Except for general health, the scores of the other 36-item short-form health survey QoL subitems were significantly improved after BTX-A (P < 0.05). After 1 month of treatment, the changes in anxiety and depression were not correlated with changes in motor symptoms (P > 0.05). Still, they were negatively correlated with changes in physical functioning, role-physical and mental component summary QoL (P < 0.05). Conclusions BTX-A effectively improved motor symptoms, anxiety, depression, and QoL. Anxiety and depression improvement did not correlate with motor symptom changes after BTX-A, and QoL improvements were strongly associated with psychiatric disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heqing Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lanxiang Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Sheng Tian
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Mingxu Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qingqing Zhan
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinping Yu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yonggang Xie
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xianhui Zhong
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wei Wu
- *Correspondence: Wei Wu ✉
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Wollmer MA, Magid M, Kruger THC, Finzi E. Treatment of Depression with Botulinum Toxin. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:383. [PMID: 35737044 PMCID: PMC9231293 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14060383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Injection of botulinum toxin (BoNT) into the glabellar region of the face is a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of depression. This treatment method has several advantages, including few side effects and a long-lasting, depot-like effect. Here we review the clinical and experimental evidence for the antidepressant effect of BoNT injections as well as the theoretical background and possible mechanisms of action. Moreover, we provide practical instructions for the safe and effective application of BoNT in the treatment of depression. Finally, we describe the current status of the clinical development of BoNT as an antidepressant and give an outlook on its potential future role in the management of mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Axel Wollmer
- Asklepios Clinic North-Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, 22419 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michelle Magid
- Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Tillmann H. C. Kruger
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Eric Finzi
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, George Washington School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20037, USA;
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Wollmer MA, Neumann I, Jung S, Bechinie A, Herrmann J, Müller A, Wohlmuth P, Fournier-Kaiser L, Sperling C, Peters L, Kneer J, Engel J, Jürgensen F, Schulze J, Nagel M, Prager W, Sinke C, Kahl KG, Karst M, Dulz B, Kruger THC. Clinical effects of glabellar botulinum toxin injections on borderline personality disorder: A randomized controlled trial. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:159-169. [PMID: 35102782 DOI: 10.1177/02698811211069108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibition of frowning via injections of botulinum toxin A (BTX) into the glabellar region has shown beneficial effects in the treatment of major depression. Preliminary research suggests that improvements in the affective domain are not depression-specific, but may also translate to other psychiatric disorders. AIM This 16-week, single-blind, two-center randomized controlled trial investigated the influence of BTX on clinical symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD). METHODS Fifty-four patients with BPD were randomly assigned to treatment with BTX (n = 27) or a minimal acupuncture (ACU) control condition (n = 27). Clinical outcomes were followed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Primary endpoint was the relative score change on the Zanarini Rating Scale for Borderline Personality Disorder (ZAN-BPD) 8 weeks after baseline relative to the control group and adjusted for treatment center. Secondary and additional outcome variables were self-rated borderline symptoms, comorbid symptoms of depression, psychological distress, and clinical global impression. RESULTS Participants showed significant improvements at the primary efficacy endpoint in both treatment groups (BTX: M = -0.39, SD = 0.39; ACU: M = -0.35, SD = 0.42), but no superior effect of the BTX condition in comparison with the control intervention was found-F(1,5323) = 0.017, p = 0.68). None of the secondary or additional outcomes yielded significant group differences. Side effects were mild and included headache, transient skin or muscle irritations, and dizziness. CONCLUSION Evidence regarding the efficacy of BTX for BDP remains limited, and the design of adequate control conditions presents an opportunity for further research.ClinicalTrials.gov registry: Botulinum Toxin A for Emotional Stabilization in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), NCT02728778, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02728778.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Axel Wollmer
- Asklepios Clinic North - Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, Germany
| | - Insa Neumann
- Asklepios Clinic North - Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, Germany
| | - Stefanie Jung
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Agnès Bechinie
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julian Herrmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Antje Müller
- Asklepios Clinic North - Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, Germany
| | | | - Larissa Fournier-Kaiser
- Asklepios Clinic North - Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, Germany
| | - Christian Sperling
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Liza Peters
- Asklepios Clinic North - Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, Germany
| | - Jonas Kneer
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jannis Engel
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Jürgensen
- Asklepios Clinic North - Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, Germany
| | - Jara Schulze
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthias Nagel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Asklepios Clinic North - Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany.,Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Welf Prager
- Dermatologische Praxis, Prager & Partner, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Sinke
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kai G Kahl
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthias Karst
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Pain Clinic, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birger Dulz
- Asklepios Clinic North - Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, Germany
| | - Tillmann H C Kruger
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
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Sleem A, El-Mallakh RS. Advances in the psychopharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder type I. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:1267-1290. [PMID: 33612040 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1893306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research into the pharmacologic management of bipolar type I illness continues to progress. AREAS COVERED Randomized clinical trials performed with type I bipolar disorder in the years 2015 to August 2020 are reviewed. There are new indications for the use of cariprazine, for bipolar mania and depression, and a long-acting injectable formulation of aripiprazole has also been approved for relapse prevention in bipolar illness. Most of the randomized clinical trials are effectiveness studies. EXPERT OPINION Over the 20 years from 1997 through 2016, the use of lithium and other mood stabilizers has declined by 50%, while the use of both second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) and antidepressants has increased considerably. Over the same time period (1990-2017), disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) increased by 54.4%, from 6.02 million in 1990 to 9.29 million in 2017 which is greater than the 47.74% increase in incidence of the disease, suggesting that the changes in prescribing patterns have not been helpful for our patients. Furthermore, recent effectiveness studies continue to confirm the superiority of lithium and other mood stabilizers in the management of bipolar illness for both psychiatric and medical outcomes, reaffirming their role as foundational treatments in the management of type I bipolar disorder. Clinicians need to reassess their prescribing habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Sleem
- Mood Disorders Research Program, Depression Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Rif S El-Mallakh
- Mood Disorders Research Program, Depression Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
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Li Y, Liu T, Luo W. Botulinum Neurotoxin Therapy for Depression: Therapeutic Mechanisms and Future Perspective. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:584416. [PMID: 33967844 PMCID: PMC8102733 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.584416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, which causes global burden. Antidepressants and psychotherapies are the mainstay of treatment for depression, which have limited efficacy. Thus, alternative approaches for preventing and treating depression are urgently required. Recent clinical trials and preclinical researches have clarified that peripheral facial injection of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is a rapid, effective and relative safe therapy for improving some symptoms of depression. Despite its safety and efficacy, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of BoNT/A for depression remains largely unclear. In the present review, we updated and summarized the clinical and preclinical evidence supporting BoNT/A therapy for the treatment of depression. We further discussed the potential mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects of BoNT/A on depression. Notably, we recently identified that the anti-depressant effects of BoNT/A associated with up-regulation of 5-HT levels and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus in a preclinical mouse model. In summary, these studies suggest that BoNT/A therapy is a potential effective and safe intervention for the management of depression. However, fundamental questions remain regarding the future prospects of BoNT/A therapy, including safety, efficacy, dose-response relationships, identification of potential predictors of response, and the precise mechanisms underlying BoNT/A therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,College of Life Sciences, Yanan University, Yanan, China
| | - Weifeng Luo
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Wollmer MA, Magid M, Kruger THC, Finzi E. The Use of Botulinum Toxin for Treatment of Depression. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2019; 263:265-278. [PMID: 31691857 DOI: 10.1007/164_2019_272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A series of clinical studies have shown that botulinum toxin can treat major depression. Subjects suffering from unipolar depression may experience a quick, strong, and sustained improvement in the symptoms of depression after a single glabellar treatment with botulinum toxin.Preliminary data suggest that botulinum toxin therapy may also be effective in the treatment of other mental disorders characterized by an excess of negative emotions, such as borderline personality disorder.The mood-lifting effect of botulinum toxin therapy is probably mediated by the interruption of a proprioceptive feedback loop from the facial musculature to the emotional brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Axel Wollmer
- Asklepios Clinic North-Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Michelle Magid
- Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Tillmann H C Kruger
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eric Finzi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
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