Title: Lengthened duration of benefit from botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of spasticity

Authors: Chandler E. Gill, CaraLee R. Blair, Michael S. Putman, Henry M. Taylor, P. David Charles

Addresses: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue South, A-0118 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232-2551, USA. ' PCSOM MS-IV, 2456 Adams Ave, Ashland, KY 41102, USA. ' Vanderbilt University, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Station B, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. ' Clover Bottom Developmental Center, 275 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN 37214, USA. ' Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue South, Suite A-1106 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232-2551, USA

Abstract: In the setting of a spasticity management program, 26 adults with Intellectual Disability (ID) and spasticity were treated with injections of Botulinum Toxin type A. After a series of regular injections (range: 4-7 injections), three patients experienced dramatically lengthened benefit lasting an average of 22.3 months (range: 19-29). None of the patients exhibit characteristics that have been suggested to explain this phenomenon in other disorders, such as duration of illness or toxin dose. Future studies should identify which characteristics or treatment parameters predict lengthened response.

Keywords: spasticity management; lengthened benefit; remission; intellectual disability; botulinum toxins; botulism; botulinum toxin injections; illness duration; toxin dose.

DOI: 10.1504/TBJ.2008.026468

The Botulinum Journal, 2008 Vol.1 No.2, pp.199 - 207

Published online: 16 Jun 2009 *

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