The 200-Year Timeline on Botulinum Toxin: From Biologic Poison to Wonder Drug

January 2024 | Volume 23 | Issue 1 | 1357 | Copyright © January 2024


Published online December 8, 2023

Joanna Dong MD, Eugene M. Helveston MD, C. William Hanke MD MPH

Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, IN

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  3. English RS Jr, Ruiz S. Use of botulinum toxin for androgenic alopecia: a systematic review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2022;8(2):93-100. doi: 10.1159/000518574. Epub 2021 Sep 8. Erratum in: Skin Appendage Disord. 2022;8(2):101. 
  4. Calvisi L, Diaspro A, Sito G. Microbotox: A prospective evaluation of dermatological improvement in patients with mild-to-moderate acne and erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(9):3747- 3753. 
  5. Erbguth FJ, Naumann M. Historical aspects of botulinum toxin: Justinus Kerner (1786-1862) and the "sausage poison". Neurology. 1999;53(8):1850-3. 
  6. Ting PT, Freiman A. The story of Clostridium botulinum: from food poisoning to Botox. Clin Med (Lond). 2004;4(3):258-61. 
  7. Tatu L, Feugeas JP. Botulinum toxin in WW2 German and allied armies: failures and myths of weaponization. Eur Neurol. 2021;84(1):53-60. 
  8. Guyton AC, MacDonald MA. Physiology of botulinus toxin. Arch Neurol Psychiatry. 1947;57(5):578-92. 
  9. Burgen AS, Dickens F, Zatman LJ. The action of botulinum toxin on the neuro-muscular junction. J Physiol. 1949;109(1-2):10-24. 
  10. Brooks VB. Motor nerve filament block produced by botulinum toxin. Science. 1953;117(3039):334-39. 
  11. Drachman DB. Atrophy of skeletal muscle in chick embryos treated with botulinum toxin. Science. 1964;145(3633):719-21. 
  12. Drachman DB. Pharmacological denervation of skeletal muscle in chick embryos treated with botulinum toxin. Trans Am Neurol Assoc. 1965;90:241- 2. 
  13. Scott AB, Rosenbaum A, Collins CC. Pharmacologic weakening of extraocular muscles. Invest Ophthalmol. 1973;12(12):924-7. 
  14. Scott AB. Botulinum toxin injection of eye muscles to correct strabismus. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 1981;79:734-70. 

AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

C. William Hanke MD MPH cwmhanke@thelassi.com