BOTULINUM TOXINS IN NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

INVITED REVIEW ABSTRACT: Botulinum toxins are among the most potent neurotoxins known to humans. In the past 25 years, botulinum toxin has emerged as both a potential weapon of bioterrorism and as a powerful therapeutic agent, with growing applications in neurological and non-neurological disease. Botulinum toxin is unique in its ability to target peripheral cholinergic neu-rons, preventing the release of acetylcholine through the enzymatic cleav-age of proteins involved in membrane fusion, without prominent central nervous system effects. There are seven serotypes of the toxin, each with a specific activity at the molecular level. Currently, serotypes A (in two prep-arations) and B are available for clinical use, and have been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of dystonia, spasticity, and other disor-ders in which muscle overactivity gives rise to symptoms. This review focuses on the pharmacology, electrophysiology, immunology, and applica-tion of botulinum toxin in selected neurological disorders