Conclusions:
- Botulinum toxin, type A, given intradermally, shows a marked ability to reduce painful symptoms in many different pain states, some not studied clinically.
- It also has excellent efficacy in treating painful cervical spasm.
- These results compare very favorably, or are better than, results from usual intramuscular administration of Botox.
- This open-label data raises many questions about mechanism(s) of action of Botox, particularly in the central nervous system, including uptake into nociceptive fibers and transport to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Blockade of pain transmission at central facilitative sites may occur, and this, in turn, reduces pain transmission in various pain states.
- Double-blind studies are definitely warranted to replicate these findings.
Summary:
This is very promising research for anyone with headaches, Migraine, or any of the other conditions treated in this trial. Intradermal administration of Botox is less painful than intramuscular and, in this study, compared quite well with the intramuscular administration. We should be seeing results of double-blind studies on this application in the near future.
To view a copy of the poster presentation of this study presented to the annual conference of the American Pain Society and to the European Federation of Neurological Societies conference, please click HERE.
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Resources:
Krusz, John Claude, Ph.D., M.D.; Knoderer, William R., D.D.S., M.D. "Intradermal Botulinum Toxin Type A: To Treat Pain Disorders." Poster presentation to the annual conference of the American Pain Society, Boston, March, 2005; and to the European Federation of Neurological Societies conference, Athens, Greece, September, 2005.
© John Claude Krusz and Teri Robert, 2005 - Present
Last updated May 4, 2008.
