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Pilot study of topical acetyl hexapeptide‐8 in the treatment for blepharospasm in patients receiving botulinum toxin therapy
Author(s) -
Lungu C.,
Considine E.,
Zahir S.,
Ponsati B.,
Arrastia S.,
Hallett M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/ene.12009
Subject(s) - medicine , blepharospasm , placebo , botulinum toxin , adverse effect , anesthesia , randomized controlled trial , dose , clinical trial , alternative medicine , pathology
Background and purpose Injectable botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is the principal effective treatment for blepharospasm (BSP). This trial explores the safety and efficacy of topical acetyl hexapeptide‐8 (AH8), a competitive SNAP25 inhibitor, as a potential new therapy in BSP. Methods Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trial of daily topical application of AH8 in 24 patients with BSP. The primary outcome was time to return to baseline Jankovic Blepharospasm Rating Scale (JBRS) after a BoNT injection simultaneously with the initiation of AH8. Patients displaying a strictly regular pattern of response to 3‐monthly injections of BoNT were included. Results There were no significant adverse events. There was a trend for longer time until return to baseline JBRS after injection in the active group compared to placebo (3.7 months vs. 3.0 months), and for better scores in the active group. One‐third (4/12) of the patients in the active group had a considerable extension of symptom control after BoNT (range: 3.3–7.1 months). Conclusions Topical AH8 is safe and promising for extending the duration of action of BoNT therapy for BSP.