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Neurophysiological effects of botulinum toxin type a

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Abstract

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) acts peripherally by inhibiting acetylcholine release from the presynaptic neuromuscular terminals, thus weakening muscle contraction, and its clinical benefit depends primarily on the toxin’ peripheral action. In addition to acting directly at the neuromuscular junction, the toxin alters sensory inputs to the central nervous system, thus indirectly inducing secondary central changes. Some of the long-term clinical benefits of BoNT-A treatment may also reflect plastic changes in motor output after the reorganization of synaptic density.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Oftalmologia e Genetica, Università di Genova, Italia

    G. Abbruzzese

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed IRCCS, Università di Roma “:La Sapienza”, Italia

    A. Berardelli

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  1. G. Abbruzzese
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  2. A. Berardelli
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Correspondence to A. Berardelli.

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Abbruzzese, G., Berardelli, A. Neurophysiological effects of botulinum toxin type a. neurotox res 9, 109–114 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03033927

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03033927

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