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From: Douglas.Zachary@p0.f10.n137.z1.fidonet.org (Douglas Zachary)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Spasm reducers
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Date: 7 Jan 91 18:10:05 GMT
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Index Number: 12683

                   OTHER SPASM-REDUCERS DISCOVERED 
   
   New research has indicated that injections of a toxin that causes 
food poisoning may help to control spasticity. 
   According to information in "Newsday", some doctors are injecting 
patients with botulinum toxin to treat diagnoses such as wryneck, 
writers cramp and spasms of the vocal cords, neck and face.  The data 
says some 75% of those treated for local spasms have experienced 
temporary improvement of their conditions without having surgery. 
   In the meantime, researchers in Vancouver, Canada, have conducted 
a study with multiple sclerosis patients.  They successfully used the 
toxin to treat eight MS patients who had experienced severe 
spasticity in their legs. 
   According to the article, the botulinum toxin proved successful 
when injected into the affected muscles.  Researchers involved in 
using it believe it chemically blocks the connection between the 
nerve and the muscle, allowing patients to move more freely.  
Injections must be repeated every three to five months to be 
effective. 
   The FDA has approved the drug for use in treating adult 
strabismus, otherwise known as crosseye, and blepharospasm, a 
condition in which an individual will experience a tightening of the 
eyelid muscles and, in some cases, become functionally blind. 
   The information was recently reported in "Reader's Digest."

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