Researchers Discover How Botox Can Alleviate Bell's Palsy

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 30 May 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Bell's Palsy which is a form of paralysis caused by a malfunction of a facial nerve can be helped by the injection of botox according to researchers of Melbourne's Brain Research Institute (BRI).

Using state of the art technology to monitor the brain in real time, the scientists have discovered that certain areas of the brain, including damaged areas responsible for facial movements, may reorganise after injections of botox combined with facial exercises. This functional study provides the first insight into the mechanisms of action that allows for the treatment and long recovery from bell's palsy.

Bells palsy is a condition that causes the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. It's caused by trauma to the cranial nerve, and is sometimes associated with pregnancy or a virus infection. However, it is not permanent but can strike anyone at any age. The condition is named after Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon who first described it 200 years ago.

Bells palsy is more prevelant than generally believed. Worldwide statistics set the incidence at approximately .02% of the population (with geographical variations). In human terms this is 1 in every 5000 people, and 40,000 Americans every year. Older people are more likely to be afflicted, but children are not immune though they tend to recover well from it.

Until recently, its cause was unknown in most cases, but it has now been related to both Lyme disease and Herpes simplex.

Researchers at the Murdoch Research Institute studied 20 sufferers before, immediately after and up to six months following their treatment with botox injections and facial exercise training.

The researchers found that there was a significantly greater reduction in facial drooping accompanied by a greater improvement in control functions for those that had received the botox injections. These changes were associated with changes in brain activity in the affected motor cortex and in some cases brain reorganisation to adapt the portion of the brain controlling the facial movements.

This unique project has involved collaboration between three Melbourne research institutes:

-- The Brain Research Institute
-- The La Trobe University, Faculty of Health Sciences
-- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Further information on Bell's Palsy and Cerebral Palsy is available at:
www.cerebral-palsey.info