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A: Botulinum toxin A injections can treat major depression, according to
the results of a small case series reported in the May issue of Dermatologic
Surgery.
Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox
Cosmetic) is a protein complex produced by the bacterium
Clostridium botulinum, which contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning.
When used in a medical setting as an injectable form
of sterile, purified botulinum toxin, small doses block the release
of a chemical called acetylcholine by nerve cells that signal
muscle contraction.
By selectively interfering with the underlying
muscles' ability to contract, existing frown lines are smoothed out
and, in most cases, are nearly invisible in a week.
More than
Cosmetic
There may be more than just
cosmetic benefits to using the drug best-known for smoothing
wrinkles.
A new study has found that Botox may cure severe
depression, and other studies have found the toxin can be used to
fight Parkinson's disease, control bladder problems, and treat
prostate cancer.
According to a paper published last week in the Journal of Dermatologic
Surgery, a small pilot study conducted by Dr. Eric Finzi found nine
of 10 depressed patients recovered from their depressive symptoms
after getting Botox injections between the eyebrows — nearly
twice the success rate of anti-depressants. Finzi has since expanded his study to 15 patients.
"When you look good, you feel
good"
Researchers say depressed female
patients in a small, pilot study showed dramatic improvement when
given Botox injections, with nine out of 10 no longer meeting the clinical standards for depression two months after the
treatments.
But looking good actually had little to do with it,
according to the Maryland dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon who
led the study and hopes to patent a botulism treatment for
depression.
Eric Finzi, MD, PhD, says the injections prevented the
patients from frowning, which, in turn, helped to lift their
depression.
"I think there is direct feedback between the facial
frown muscles and the depression center of the brain," Finzi
tells WebMD. "If you can prevent the negative signals that occur when someone frowns, the brain interprets this as meaning that
things are better." A Patient's Story
Kathleen
Delano was skeptical when she entered the study. But after battling depression for more than 20 years, with conventional treatments
offering little relief, she thought it was worth a try.
The
45-year-old marketing director and single mom tells WebMD that she gradually
began to feel better after receiving the five injections that left
her unable to frown.
"There was no dramatic cosmetic change, so
that wasn't it," she says. "But I began to feel more like
doing the things that I had been avoiding."
Delano says she soon
began exercising more and re-established ties with friends. She
also became more spiritually active.
"It is ironic that the very
things that can help alleviate depression are the things that people want to do the least when they are depressed," she says,
adding that she believes the Botox injection put her on the path to
recovery.
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