Revealing the Therapeutic Potential of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in Counteracting Paralysis and Neuropathic Pain in Spinally Injured Mice

Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is a powerful therapeutic agent used to treat various neurological disorders. It works by blocking the formation of SNARE complexes, which are essential for vesicle release, through the specific cleavage of SNAP-25 protein. This study demonstrates the remarkable ability of BoNT/A to counteract paralysis and pain insensitivity in a mouse model of severe spinal cord injury (SCI). Administered spinally within one hour of the trauma, the toxin exhibits long-lasting action, up to 60 days, leading to the complete recovery of muscle and motor function. The findings suggest that BoNT/A modulates the hyperreactivity of neuroglia induced by SCI, promotes axonal restoration, and prevents secondary cell death and damage. The study also confirms the anti-nociceptive action of BoNT/A in SCI-induced neuropathic pain.

• 1
  BoNT/A induces a complete recovery of muscle and motor function in a murine model of severe spinal cord injury (SCI) when administered spinally within one hour from spinal trauma.
• 2
  BoNT/A modulates SCI-induced neuroglia hyperreactivity, facilitates axonal restoration, and prevents secondary cells death and damage.
• 3
  BoNT/A affects SCI-induced neuropathic pain after moderate spinal contusion, confirming its anti-nociceptive action.