History of Treatment Using Botulinum Toxin

Botulinum toxin type A has been used safely and effectively for more than 15 years to treat many disorders, including strabismus, blepharospasm, and myotonic dystrophies [1, 7]. The first evidence of potential therapeutic use was reported in 1973 when muscle relaxation was demonstrated in studies using a monkey model [8]. In 1980, the natural purified protein of botulinum toxin was used in the treatment of strabismus, marking the beginning of medical use of this molecule in human beings [1]. At present, botulinum toxin has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of many disease states. A partial list of treatments is presented below.