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Semin Neurol 2016; 36(01): 054-063
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1571217
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Botulinum Toxin for the Treatment of Tremor and Tics

Mitesh Lotia
1   Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Joseph Jankovic
1   Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
11 February 2016 (online)

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Abstract

The therapeutic applications of botulinum toxin (BoNT) have grown manifold since its initial approval in 1989 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, and other facial spasms. Although it is the most potent biologic toxin known to man, long-term studies have established its safety in the treatment of a variety of neurologic and nonneurologic disorders. Despite a paucity of randomized controlled trials, BoNT has been found to be beneficial in treating a variety of tremors and tics when used by clinicians skilled in the administration of the drug for these hyperkinetic movement disorders. Botulinum toxin injections can provide meaningful improvement in patients with localized tremors and tics; in some cases, they may be an alternative to other treatments with more undesirable adverse effects.

Keywords

botulinum toxin - essential tremor - tremor - tics
 

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