Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Depression: A New Paradigm for Psychiatry.

Multiple randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials have shown that botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A), when injected into the frown musculature, is an antidepressant. This review outlines the conceptual narrative behind this treatment modality, starting with theory developed by Charles Darwin. We develop the concept of emotional proprioception and discuss how the muscles of facial expression play an important role in relaying valenced information to the brain's emotional neuroanatomical circuit. We review the role of facial frown musculature as the brain's barometer and transmitter of negatively valanced emotional information. The direct connections between the corrugator muscles and the amygdala are reviewed, and these provide a neuroanatomical circuit that is a logical target for treatment with BoNT/A. The centrality of amygdala dysfunction in the pathogenesis of many psychiatric disorders, and the evidence that BoNT/A modulates amygdala activity, provides the mechanistic link between BoNT/A and its antidepressant activity. Animal models of BoNT/A's antidepressant effects confirm the evolutionary conservation of this emotional circuit. The clinical and theoretical implications of this evidence, as it relates to the potential treatment of a broad range of psychiatric disorders by BoNT/A, is discussed. The ease of administration, long duration, and favorable side effect profile of this therapy is reviewed in the context of existing antidepressant treatments.

Treatment of Depression with Botulinum Toxin.

Injection of botulinum toxin (BoNT) into the glabellar region of the face is a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of depression. This treatment method has several advantages, including few side effects and a long-lasting, depot-like effect. Here we review the clinical and experimental evidence for the antidepressant effect of BoNT injections as well as the theoretical background and possible mechanisms of action. Moreover, we provide practical instructions for the safe and effective application of BoNT in the treatment of depression. Finally, we describe the current status of the clinical development of BoNT as an antidepressant and give an outlook on its potential future role in the management of mental disorders.

Botulinum toxin for the management of depression: An updated review of the evidence and meta-analysis.

Botulinum toxin (BTX) treatment of glabellar frown lines is one of the most common procedures in aesthetic medicine. In addition to its cosmetic effect, the neurotoxin has been shown to have a positive influence on mood and affect. Several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have examined the effect of botulinum toxin on the treatment of depression. Combining the results of the five RCTs in a random effects meta-analysis revealed that patients treated with BTX showed a more intense improvement of depressive symptoms in comparison to subjects that received placebo injections (d = 0.98). Despite methodological limitations, the results of this study emphasize the effectiveness of BTX in the treatment of depression and therefore pave the way for its use in the field of psychiatry.

The Use of Botulinum Toxin for Treatment of Depression.

A series of clinical studies have shown that botulinum toxin can treat major depression. Subjects suffering from unipolar depression may experience a quick, strong, and sustained improvement in the symptoms of depression after a single glabellar treatment with botulinum toxin.Preliminary data suggest that botulinum toxin therapy may also be effective in the treatment of other mental disorders characterized by an excess of negative emotions, such as borderline personality disorder.The mood-lifting effect of botulinum toxin therapy is probably mediated by the interruption of a proprioceptive feedback loop from the facial musculature to the emotional brain.

Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 with high dose oral zinc salts: A report on four patients.

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic with substantial mortality and no accepted therapy. We report here on four consecutive outpatients with clinical characteristics (CDC case definition) of and/or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who were treated with high dose zinc salt oral lozenges. All four patients experienced significant improvement in objective and symptomatic disease measures after one day of high dose therapy suggesting that zinc therapy was playing a role in clinical recovery. A mechanism for zinc's effects is proposed based on previously published studies on SARS- CoV-1, and randomized controlled trials assessing zinc shortening of common cold duration. The limited sample size and study design preclude a definitive statement about the effectiveness of zinc as a treatment for COVID-19 but suggest the variables to be addressed to confirm these initial findings in future trials.

Emotional proprioception: Treatment of depression with afferent facial feedback.

We develop the concept of emotional proprioception, whereby the muscles of facial expression play a central role in encoding and transmitting information to the brain's emotional circuitry, and describe its underlying neuroanatomy. We explore the role of facial expression in both reflecting and influencing depressed mood. The circuitry involved in this latter effect is a logical target for treatment with botulinum toxin, and we review the evidence in support of this strategy. Clinical trial data suggest that botulinum toxin is effective in treating depression. We discuss the clinical and theoretical implications of these data. This novel treatment approach is just one example of the potential importance of the cranial nerves in the treatment of depression.

Treatment of depression with onabotulinumtoxinA: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.

UNLABELLED: Converging lines of evidence suggest a role for facial expressions in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorders. To determine the antidepressant effect of onabotulinumtoxinA (OBA) treatment of corrugator and procerus muscles in people with major depressive disorder, we conducted a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. In an outpatient clinical research center, eighty-five subjects with DSM-IV major depression were randomized to receive either OBA (29 units for females and 40 units for males) or saline injections into corrugator and procerus frown muscles (74 subjects were entered into the analysis). Subjects were rated at screening, and 3 and 6 weeks after OBA treatment. The primary outcome measure was the response rate, as defined by ≥ 50% decrease in score on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Response rates at 6 weeks from the date of injection were 52% and 15% in the OBA and placebo groups, respectively (Chi-Square (1) = 11.2, p < 0.001, Fisher p < 0.001). The secondary outcome measure of remission rate (MADRS score of 10 or less) was 27% with OBA and 7% with placebo (Chi-square (1) = 5.1, p < 0.02, Fisher p < 0.03). Six weeks after a single treatment, MADRS scores of subjects were reduced on average by 47% in those given OBA, and by 21% in those given placebo (Mann-Whitney U, p < 0.0005). In conclusion, a single treatment with OBA to the corrugator and procerus muscles appears to induce a significant and sustained antidepressant effect in patients with major depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01556971.

Treatment of depression with botulinum toxin A: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Major depression is a common and serious disease that may be resistant to routine pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatment approaches. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin A treatment of glabellar frown lines in treating patients with major depression, using a small open pilot trial. METHODS: Patients who met DSM-IV criteria for ongoing major depression in spite of pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic treatment were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) before receiving botulinum toxin A to their glabellar frown lines. Two months later, all patients were re-evaluated clinically and with the BDI-II. RESULTS: Ten depressed patients were treated with botulinum toxin A, and 9 of 10 patients were no longer depressed 2 months after treatment. The tenth patient had an improvement in mood. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of depression treated with botulinum toxin A.

Multipass vector (mpave) technique with nonablative radiofrequency to treat facial and neck laxity.

BACKGROUND: Redundant facial and neck skin is a major feature of aging and historically has been corrected surgically. Recently, monopolar radiofrequency application has been introduced for nonablative tissue tightening of skin by volumetric heating of the deep dermis. It has been able to improve neck and cheek laxity and periorbital rhytides and to elevate eyebrows. However, questions remain as to the ideal parameters needed to optimize the use of radiofrequency. OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and report on the efficacy of a radiofrequency application that involves a multipass vector (mpave) technique to target facial and neck skin laxity. METHODS: Twenty-five patients (skin types I to V) with mild to severe facial and neck laxity received one treatment session with monopolar radiofrequency. Treatment parameters, adverse events, and digital photographs were recorded. All patients were treated with a multipass vector technique consisting of four to five passes targeted over areas of skin that would most improve facial laxity. The multipass vector (mpave) treatment approach is described. Energy levels ranged from 62 to 91 J/cm2 per pulse. RESULTS: All patients experienced some immediate erythema and edema, which had completely resolved in most patients within 48 hours. No scarring or dyspigmentation was noted on follow-up at 6 and 12 weeks. Photographic analysis of pre- and post-treatment digital images revealed cosmetic improvement in facial and neck laxity in 96% of patients. The majority of patients demonstrated a moderate or better improvement. Stacked pulses in the submental region were shown to reduce fat. CONCLUSIONS: The direct application of monopolar radiofrequency to facial and neck skin using a multipass vector (mpave) treatment approach was safely tolerated in patients of all skin types. Patient satisfaction correlated well with photographic analysis, and the technique was shown to be efficacious for most patients.

Breast enlargement induced by liposuction.

BACKGROUND: Liposuction has become a major therapeutic tool for body sculpting by dermatologic surgeons. To date, breast augmentation has been the only effective tool for breast enlargement. OBJECTIVE: To review retrospectively records of patients who have undergone traditional tumescent liposuction to determine whether breast size is commonly affected by liposuction of other body areas. RESULTS: Breast enlargement occurred in 43% of patients who underwent one or more tumescent liposuction surgeries. Thirty percent of all patients experienced an increase of one cup size or greater. Two variables were found to be predictive of breast enlargement after liposuction: those patients who had more total supernatant fat removed and/or those who weighed more initially. CONCLUSION: Cosmetically significant breast enlargement is a common occurrence after tumescent liposuction surgery.