A Botox Shot For Depression?

Category: Conditions of the Skin , Mental Health

Botox (botulinum toxin A) is known for helping smooth facial frown lines. Now research reports that botox shots given into frown muscles also helps relieve depression. Depression is a common and serious condition and is projected to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide in 2020.

The small pilot study, published in Dermatologic Surgery, investigated the effect of botox treatment on patients with major depression. Researchers at the Saint Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Associates in Greenbelt, Maryland administered five botox injections into the frown muscles of 10 depressed patients, for two months. The participants were evaluated for depression with the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) before and after treatment. The patients had previously been treated with antidepressants and psychotherapy.

Researchers found that 9 out of 10 of the participants were no longer depressed, and did not meet the clinical standards for depression. Furthermore, the tenth participant was still depressed, but reported an improved mood.

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

Due to the small size of the study and lack of comparison group, some experts question the study's findings. They suggest that definitive results will require further study in larger clinical trials.


REFERENCES:
1. Finzi E and Wasserman E. Treatment of depression with botulinum toxin A: a case series. Dermatol Surg 2006 May;32(5):645-9; discussion 649-50.

Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 29, 2014 11:00 AM