[Advances in botulinum toxin applications]

Botulinum toxin type A is one of the seven serotype /A-G/ produced by the anerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most potent toxins available. Botulinum toxin binds to the motor nerve end-plate and prevents acetylcholin release, causing presynaptic neuromuscular blockade. The toxin is being increasingly used in the treatment of several form of disorders characterized by excessive or inappropriate muscle contraction, including stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis. Botulinum toxin type A has brought a new approach to the effective treatment of dystonias. It has demonstrated additional analgesic effect. Among recently describes applications are the treatment of tics, tremors, hyperhydrosis, myoclonus, etc.