Botulinum neurotoxins as therapeutics

Abstract

Since first recognized as the cause of food-borne botulism in the early nineteenth century, botulinum toxin was suggested as a potential treatment for involuntary spasms and movements. Multiple double-blind, placebo-controlled, and open-label studies provided evidence that botulinum toxin is a powerful therapeutic tool in a variety of neurologic and other disorders including ophthalmologic, gastrointestinal, urologic, orthopedic, dermatologic, secretory, painful, and cosmetic disorders. We here review the basic mechanisms of botulinum toxin action at the neuromuscular junction and discuss some of its main clinical applications.