New therapeutic indications for botulinum toxins

The efficacy of botulinum toxin (BTX) without systemic effects has led to the rapid development of applications in neuromuscular disorders, hyperactivity of sudomotor cholinergic-mediated glandular function, and pain syndromes. The successful use of BTX in conditions with muscle overactivity, such as dystonia and spasticity, has been established and new areas in the field of movement disorders such as tics, tremor, myoclonic jerks, and stuttering has been explored with satisfactory results. Strategies to temporarily inactivate muscle function after orthopaedic or neurosurgery have also been developed. BTX treatment of hyperhidrosis was followed by its application in other hypersecretory conditions (hyperlacrimation and nasal hypersecretion) and in excessive drooling. Studies are in progress, aimed at optimising the technique and protocol of administration. Other applications for BTX have been proposed in gastroenterological and urogenital practice; it appears to be effective in replacing standard surgical procedures. Trials of BTX in painful conditions are ongoing mainly on refractory tension headache, migraine, and backache as well as dystonia-complex regional pain syndrome and myofascial pain with promising results. Recently, the fastest growing use for BTX toxin has been in the cosmetic applications. Clearly, the indications for the use of BTX are expanding, but further clinical trials will be needed in many different areas.