Studies on the Mechanism of Action of Botulinum Toxin

摘要

The thesis is divided into four sections. The first section presents a review of the literature on the mode of action of botulinum toxin. The second section considers the problem of whether botulinum toxin can act on the central nervous system. It is reported that the toxin can exert an effect on the brain. Notably, the EEG can be depressed and the levels of acetylcholine can be elevated. In the third section, the hypothesis that botulinum toxin acts by interfering with the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in cholinergic transmission is considered. Section four attempts to hybridize the results of the previous two sections. Animals were given botulinum toxin in the company of edemogenic compounds. It was hoped that the latter compounds might cause cerebral edema and thus permit passage of crystalline toxin into the brain. Determination of success was made both electrophysiologically and histologically. Toxin could not be detected in the brain by either technique. (Author)