Brain Metabolic Changes of Cervical Dystonia with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 after Botulinum Toxin Therapy

Intern Med. 2016;55(14):1919-22. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.5843. Epub 2016 Jul 15.

Abstract

We occasionally observe long-term remission of cervical dystonia after several botulinum toxin treatments. However, botulinum toxin transiently acts on neuromuscular junctions. We herein report that a cervical dystonia patient with spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 could have long-term remission as a result of the depression of hypermetabolism in the bilateral putamen and primary sensorimotor cortex after botulinum toxin therapy. We suggest that botulinum toxin impacts the central nervous system, causing prolonged improvement through the normalization of basal ganglia circuits in addition to its effects at neuromuscular junctions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / adverse effects*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Dystonia
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuromuscular Agents / adverse effects*
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxias / chemically induced*
  • Torticollis / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Neuromuscular Agents
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A