Botox Found To Reduce The Frequency Of Migraine

‘Botox’ is a commercial name for a toxin Botulinum type-A produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The toxin is a protein which is highly neurotoxic in nature. In spite of its high toxicity it is used in several medical conditions and in cosmetology to treat wrinkles. During the treatment of wrinkles by Botulinum type-A the researches found that there is a correlation with cosmetic treatment and migraine symptoms. This has prompted the researches to study further about the usage of the toxin in alleviating severe forms of migraine.

A recent preliminary study made on this toxin revealed that it can also be used successfully to reduce the incidence of migraine. The results of the study were published in the February issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Christine C. Kim, M.D., Skin Care Physicians, Chestnut Hill, Mass studied on 19 patients who were undergoing treatment for cosmetic wrinkles and having severe type of migraines also. Among them ten were having severe throbbing headaches. Nine were having exploding head aches. Out of these 13 patients after 3 months treatment revealed that the severity of migraine reduced in 10 patients who were having ocular head aches. Six patients who were having exploding head aches have not responded to treatment. However the frequency of the head aches reduced very much in all the patients. Therefore the researches concluded that migraine treatment with botulinum toxin the response is favorable in patients having imploding ocular head aches than the patients having exploding type of migraines. However they reported that further trials are necessary for the confirmation of the results. Article by Dr.G.B.Haranath

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