> what was it used for and did it help. Thanks.
>
>Shelly Studley ([log in to unmask])
Dear Shelly:
Botox is a highly purified form of the botulinum toxin, that is
manufacrured by several bacterial species. Humans become poisoned by it
(actually most animals)when they ingest food that was not properly
sterilized before storage. Sterilization before eating will destroy the
activity of the toxin. Nevertheless, people do die. The mechanism of
toxicity is that the toxin reacts, binds to, a specific receptor in the
nerve terminals of skeletal muscle, thereby preventing the release of the
natural neuro-transmitter, acetylcholine. Muscle paralysis , death usually
occuring quickly because of cessation of breathing. Rapid transfer of the
patient to a respirator may prevent these events. However, usually the toxin
binds so rapidly and tightly that its action isirreversible.
> So, whar has this to do with your father's disease and this
treatment. Your father's neuromuscular junctions release excess amounts of
acetylcholine, which causes muscle fasiculations and contractures, That is
very painful. Once the receptors to the acetylcholine become saturated it
becomes irreversible(analogus to the war nerve gases). Painful death
isinevitable. However, there is one protein synthesized by the botulinus
bacteria, that can displace acetylcholine from the binding protein, thereby
allowing the release of acetylcholine and reversing neuromuscular paralysis.
Howver, blocking the binding sites with botulinus toxin is tricky. Too
little, and it will be ineffective; too much and it will spill over into
other organs than muscle, e.g. the heart, and paralysis and death occur
anyway. Success requires very high skill and judgement. Furthermore the
binding of thr botulinus toxin is reversible; trestment is likely to need to
be repeated, several times over a few months,presumably for the duration of
life. This is probably because the body makes antibodies to the toxin; it
becomes deactivated thereby. The bottom line is that botulinum toxin is very
expensive; the cost of a year's treatments may be in the tens of thousands.
What is required is a genetically enginered artificial toxin that is
resistant to antibodies, I don't know what progress has been made. You might
obtain such information from the Director of the National Instittute of
Neurological Diseaes, Blindness and Stroke at the National Institites of
Health in Bethesda, Md. Write Dr.Zach Hall; he is a superb scientist and
Director of the Institute. he is also overworked and underfunded, reasons
why medical research of al kinds, including PD are undersupported.
Good luck; be hopeful, but you may have disapointment ahead.
Steven [log in to unmask]
Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D.
