Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-12-19
pubmed:abstractText
Recent scientific data support an effect of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) on pain and headache. BoNT was shown to affect the release of neurotransmitters that are important in pain transmission and in migraine pathogenesis. Data from both animal and clinical studies suggest that the toxin may have an analgesic effect that is independent from its effect on muscle tone. The high tolerability and long duration of action of the drug make it appealing as a potential prophylactic treatment for headache patients. Results of controlled trials on the efficacy of BoNT in the treatment of episodic migraine (EM) are mostly negative, although some subgroups of patients (eg, those with high attack frequency) may respond to the drug. Studies of patients with chronic daily headache have been inconclusive, although (as with the EM studies) specific subgroups of patients appear to benefit from the drug. BoNT is probably ineffective for the treatment of chronic tension-type headache. There are anecdotal reports on a positive effect of BoNT in patients with other types of headache (eg, nummular headache). Factors that may affect the response of patients to BoNT include headache characteristics, disease duration, the use of concurrent preventive medications, and the presence or absence of medication overuse. The authors' clinical experience shows that some headache patients benefit significantly from BoNT treatment. The challenge for future studies is to identify those patients who will best respond to the drug.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:status
PubMed-not-MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
1092-8480
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
11
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
18-23
pubmed:year
2009
pubmed:articleTitle
Is botulinum toxin useful in treating headache? Yes.
pubmed:affiliation
Avi Ashkenazi, MD Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, 111 South 11th Street, Suite 8130, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. aashkenazi2001@yahoo.com.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article