Treatment of Depression with Botulinum Toxin A: A Case Series : Dermatologic Surgery

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Treatment of Depression with Botulinum Toxin A

A Case Series

FINZI, ERIC MD, PhD*,†; WASSERMAN, ERIKA PhD‡

Author Information

*Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Associates, Greenbelt, Maryland

†Chevy Chase Cosmetic Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland

‡William Stixrude and Associates, Bethesda, Maryland

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Eric Finzi, MD, PhD, 8401 Connecticut Ave., Suite 210, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, or email: [email protected]

Dr. Finzi has applied for a patent using botulinum toxin A to treat depression.

Acknowledgments We thank Jennifer Stewart for her help with the study patients and VassarStats for providing the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Dermatologic Surgery 32(5):p 645-649, May 2006.

Abstract

BACKGROUND 

Major depression is a common and serious disease that may be resistant to routine pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatment approaches.

OBJECTIVE 

To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin A treatment of glabellar frown lines in treating patients with major depression, using a small open pilot trial.

METHODS 

Patients who met DSM-IV criteria for ongoing major depression in spite of pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic treatment were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) before receiving botulinum toxin A to their glabellar frown lines. Two months later, all patients were re-evaluated clinically and with the BDI-II.

RESULTS 

Ten depressed patients were treated with botulinum toxin A, and 9 of 10 patients were no longer depressed 2 months after treatment. The tenth patient had an improvement in mood.

CONCLUSION 

To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of depression treated with botulinum toxin A.

© 2006 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.

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