1
|
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 Unpublished clinical trials were searched through the ClinicalTrials.gov and International Clinical Trial Registry Platform public registries.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 We identified 21 studies (17 published, 4 unpublished clinical trials) involving 471 patients.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area, with an average dose ranging between 37.75 U and 44.5 U in published studies and between 32.7 U and 41.3 U in unpublished trials.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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lehnert F, Neumann I, Krüger THC, Wollmer MA. Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Psychiatric Disorders in Clinical Practice: A Retrospective Case Study. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:385. [PMID: 37368686 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting the facial expression of negative emotions via botulinum toxin A (BTX) has been shown to mitigate symptoms of clinical depression in randomized controlled trials. This retrospective case study sought to reproduce the beneficial effects of BTX in a naturalistic setting for major depressive disorder and collect casuistic data on its effect on other mental disorders. Moreover, we describe symptom development across multiple treatment cycles with BTX, and assess the implementation of additional injection targets in the lower face region. Participants were N = 51 adult psychiatric outpatients mainly seeking treatment for depression. Over 50% suffered from comorbid psychiatric conditions, predominantly generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or borderline personality disorder (BPD). A pre-post case series design was adapted. All participants received BTX-injections in the glabellar region on at least one occasion. Some received additional injections in the mouth region and over multiple treatment cycles. Treatment response was followed up by self-rated scales at varying time intervals post treatment. The results showed that BTX may yield favorable outcomes across multiple and comorbid mental disorders, especially, however, for patients suffering from depression. It potentially prevents the recurrence of clinical symptoms if applied regularly. Adding additional regions of the face does not seem to be superior over applying it to the glabellar region alone. The results add to the growing evidence that BTX therapy is effective in alleviating symptoms of depression. Positive effects can be sustained and reinstated, when applied over multiple treatment cycles. Observed symptom reduction in other psychiatric disorders was less pronounced. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which BTX therapy reduces psychiatric symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Lehnert
- Asklepios Clinic North-Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, 22419 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Insa Neumann
- Asklepios Clinic North-Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, 22419 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tillmann H C Krüger
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Marc A Wollmer
- Asklepios Clinic North-Ochsenzoll, Asklepios Campus Hamburg, Medical Faculty, Semmelweis University, 22419 Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Finzi E. Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Depression: A New Paradigm for Psychiatry. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15050336. [PMID: 37235370 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050336] [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: 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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|