Botulinum toxin as a therapy for cerebral palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neuromuscular condition caused by deficits in the developmental trajectory of the brain or due to physical injury to the developing brain. It affects many school-going and newly born children and is indicated by exaggerated movements and reflexes and unusual movements of the limbs, digits and posture. The present review article discusses the therapeutic potential of botulinum toxin (BoNT) for the treatment of CP. BoNT is a well-known commercially available neurotoxin which blocks the release of neurotransmitters (e.g. acetylcholine), thereby decreasing the undesirable muscle movement of the voluntary muscles in the case of CP. The review also discusses the effectiveness of the therapy, rehabilitation of the patients after treatment and various scales used to measure the movement before and after therapy.