Рет қаралды 831
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that blocks the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contraction and salivary secretion. It has been used to treat various conditions that involve excessive muscle activity or saliva production, such as dystonia, spasticity, and drooling . Drooling, also known as sialorrhea, is a common symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) that can cause social embarrassment, skin irritation, and aspiration pneumonia. It is caused by a reduction in automatic swallowing and impaired coordination of the muscles of the mouth and throat due to PD.
Botulinum toxin injections into the salivary glands can reduce or eliminate drooling in people with PD by decreasing the amount of saliva produced . This treatment is usually considered when other methods, such as oral exercises, behavioral strategies, or oral medications, are ineffective or cause intolerable side effects . Botulinum toxin injections are generally well tolerated and have few adverse effects, such as dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, or transient facial weakness .
People with PD are not good candidates for oral anticholinergic medications, which are another option to reduce saliva production and drooling. Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine in the brain and peripheral nervous system, but they also have many unwanted effects on cognition, mood, memory, and vision. These effects can worsen the non-motor symptoms of PD, such as memory problems, delusions, or hallucinations . Therefore, botulinum toxin injections are preferred over anticholinergic drugs for treating drooling in PD.
In conclusion, botulinum toxin is a safe and effective treatment for drooling in PD that can improve the quality of life of people with this condition. It has advantages over oral anticholinergic medications, which can cause cognitive and psychiatric side effects that are detrimental for people with PD. Botulinum toxin injections should be considered as an option for people with PD who suffer from drooling and do not respond to other conservative measures.