From Toxin to Treatment: A Narrative Review on the Use of Botulinum Toxin for Autonomic Dysfunction.

Since its regulatory approval over a half-century ago, botulinum toxin has evolved from one of the most potent neurotoxins known to becoming routinely adopted in clinical practice. Botulinum toxin, a highly potent neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, can cause botulism illness, characterized by widespread muscle weakness due to inhibition of acetylcholine transmission at neuromuscular junctions. The observation of botulinum toxin's anticholinergic properties led to the investigation of its potential benefits for conditions with an underlying etiology of cholinergic transmission, including autonomic nervous system dysfunction. These conditions range from disorders of the integument to gastrointestinal and urinary systems. Several formulations of botulinum toxin have been developed and tested over time, significantly increasing the availability of this treatment for appropriate clinical use. Despite the accelerated and expanded use of botulinum toxin, there lacks an updated comprehensive review on its therapeutic use, particularly to treat autonomic dysfunction. This narrative review provides an overview of the effect of botulinum toxin in the treatment of autonomic dysfunction and summarizes the different formulations and dosages most widely studied, while highlighting reported outcomes and the occurrence of any adverse events.

A therapeutic challenge relating to the association of orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension in a patient with cardiac autonomic neuropathy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is a highly prevalent pathology in the diabetic population, and is the leading cause of death in this population. Orthostatic hypotension is the main clinical manifestation of the disease. In some patients, this orthostatic hypotension is associated with supine hypertension, posing a therapeutic challenge since treatment of one entity may aggravate the other. The challenge is to manage each of these two hemodynamic opposites without exposing the patient to a life-threatening risk of severe hypotension or hypertension. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 62-year-old ethnic Moroccan woman who has cardiovascular risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The patient's symptoms included dizziness, tremors, morning sickness, palpitations, and intolerance to exertion. Given her symptomatology, the patient benefited from an exploration of the autonomic nervous system through cardiovascular reactivity tests (Ewing tests), which confirmed the diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. In addition to orthostatic hypotension, our patient had supine arterial hypertension, complicating management. To treat orthostatic hypotension, we advised the patient to avoid the supine position during the day, to raise the head of the bed during the night, and to have a sufficient fluid intake, with a gradual transition from decubitus to orthostatism and venous restraint of the lower limbs. Supine hypertension was treated with transdermal nitrates placed at bedtime and removed 1 hour before getting up. One week after the introduction of treatment, the patient reported a clear regression of functional symptoms, with an improvement in her quality of life. Improvement in symptomatology was maintained during quarterly follow-up consultations. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is a very common pathology in diabetic patients. It is a serious condition with a life-threatening prognosis. Its management must be individualized according to the symptomatology and profile of each patient. The treatment of patients with orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension requires special attention to ensure that each entity is treated without aggravating the other.

Management of Cholinergic Rebound After Abrupt Withdrawal of Clozapine: A Case Report and Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Cholinergic discontinuation symptoms, also known as "cholinergic rebound," from abrupt clozapine discontinuation are characterized by a range of somatic and psychiatric symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical features and management options for clozapine withdrawal-associated cholinergic rebound syndrome (henceforth referred to as CWCRS) and present an illustrative case report. METHODS: Based on a literature search of the databases PubMed, OVID Medline, and Embase as well as reviewing reference lists of relevant past reviews, we carried out a systematic review of case reports on the management of CWCRS from 1946 to 2023. RESULTS: We identified 10 previously published articles on the clinical management of CWCRS, with a total of 18 patients (6 female, 12 male) with an average age of 43 years (standard deviation 14). Half of the patients had a history of tardive dyskinesia. The mean dose of clozapine before discontinuation was 351 mg/day, with duration of clozapine treatment ranging from 3 weeks to 9 years. Clozapine was the most effective treatment, followed by benztropine. CONCLUSIONS: Given the small number of cases and the nonexperimental nature of the available studies, this review could not provide reliable data to guide management of CWCRS. The findings, however, suggest that clozapine may be more effective than other commonly used treatment options. With the high rates of discontinuation among patients on clozapine, there is a pressing need for further research into the epidemiology, natural history, and management of clozapine withdrawal syndromes.

Primary Sjogren's syndrome presenting as an isolated severe autonomic dysfunction treated with steroids.

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder with multisystem manifestations. We here report a previously healthy woman who presented with autonomic dysfunction in the form of severe dizziness without any apparent sensory neuropathy. Detailed history and examination revealed the signs and symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome such as constipation and dry eyes and mouth, following which anti-SSA and SSB antibodies were found to be positive. Finally, a diagnosis of pSS was established after ruling out all the other causes of autonomic dysfunction in addition to the clinical and laboratory evidence. The patient was treated with the maximum doses of midodrine and fludrocortisone, yet no progress was noticed. Hence, a trial of steroids was started and she showed a significant clinical improvement. Our patient presented with pure autonomic failure associated with Sjogren's syndrome, making it an extremely rare entity.

An easy to use, ceramide-containing skincare routine: effectiveness and improvement of quality of life in elderly patients with xerosis.

BACKGROUND: Xerosis negatively impacts the quality of life (QoL) for older adults by producing pruritus (itching), burning or stinging, and an uncomfortable sensation of tightness in the skin. Furthermore, chronic illness and pharmacological therapies could worsen skin health. Severe xerosis can also result in redness or cracking of the skin. The aim of this prospective open-label trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a ceramide-based moisturizing cream and cleanser routine on elderly xerosis. METHODS: During the 4-week treatment study, patients followed the routine according to the established protocol. At different timepoints (baseline, visit 1; after 28±5 days, visit 2) evaluations on the skin health and QoL of the patients were conducted by a healthcare professional (HCP), along with a patients' self-evaluation. RESULTS: The study demonstrates that the treatment with the investigated products determines an overall significant improvement in all skin dryness criteria. In particular, after the observational period: 93% of the subjects had no or minimal skin roughness; 96% of patients had no or minimal discomfort due to skin dryness; 97% of patients did not present any fissures; patient self-assessments on skin dryness were consistent with HCP evaluation. QoL has globally improved in all patients, with a significant reduction of embarrassment, and a positive impact on social and daily activities. Patients' overall satisfaction was high in 87% of patients and 93% of them stated that they would continue the treatment also after the study had been completed. CONCLUSIONS: After 4 weeks, the daily use of a ceramide-based routine significantly improved signs and symptoms of senile xerosis and chronic discomfort associated with xerosis in elderly adults. Furthermore, the impact of senile xerosis on subjects' QoL was also reduced after 4 weeks. The subjects also reported high satisfaction with the skincare regimen and its results.

Refractory bradycardia and hypotension in patients with autonomic dysfunction treated with pseudoephedrine.

We describe a man in his 40s with a history of chronic intranasal cocaine use and C5-C7 incomplete quadriplegia complicated by neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, admitted to the intensive care unit for worsening bradycardia and hypotension requiring initiation of dopamine and an increase of his home midodrine dose. The patient experienced refractory bradycardia and hypotension with weaning of dopamine, and therefore a recommendation was made to add pseudoephedrine to his current regimen. This case describes the addition of pseudoephedrine to facilitate weaning off intravenous vasopressors within 24 hours in a patient with refractory bradycardia and hypotension secondary to autonomic dysfunction.

A novel moisture for xerosis in psoriatic patients: a single center study.

BACKGROUND: Xerosis is an extremely common condition, especially in the elderly population. It is the most common cause of pruritus in the older adult. Since xerosis is generally caused by a lack of epidermal lipids, the use of leave-on skin care products is the mainstay treatment. The aim of this open prospective analytical observational study was to investigate the clinical and self-reported hydrating efficacy of a moisturizer formulation containing a synergy between amino-inositol and urea (INOSIT-U 20) in patients with psoriasis and xerosis. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with psoriasis successfully treated with biologic therapy, and who presented xerosis, were recruited. Each patient was instructed to apply the topical with a frequency of two applications per die on the identified skin area. Corneometry values and a VAS itch questionnaire were measured at baseline (T0) and after 28 days (T4). To evaluate the cosmetic efficacy, the volunteers also completed a self-assessment questionnaire. RESULTS: Comparing Corneometry values at T0 and T4, a statistically significant increase value was observed in the area subjected to topical treatment (P<0.0001). A significant decrease in itch (P=0.001) was also observed. Moreover, the patients' ratings of the cosmetic properties of the moisturizer showed significant confirmation rates. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence that INOSIT-U20 provides a good hydrating effect on xerosis, further reducing self-reported itch.

Crocodile tear syndrome treated with lacrimal gland incobotulinum toxin A injection: a report of two cases.

Crocodile tear syndrome (CTS) is a late complication of facial nerve palsy characterized by unilateral lacrimation in response to gustatory stimulation. We present 2 cases of patients diagnosed with CTS after recovering from unilateral idiopathic facial nerve palsy. Both patients underwent transconjunctival lacrimal gland incobotulinumtoxinA injection, with doses of 5-16 units. The patients were seen in clinic for post-treatment follow-up at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Outcomes were measured by treatment efficacy and adverse drug effects. Following treatment, both patients reported resolution of gustatory lacrimation. The patient treated with 16 U experienced transient ptosis and diplopia following injection, whereas the patient treated with 5-7.5 U experienced no adverse effects.

Effects of phytocannabinoids on heart rate variability and blood pressure variability in female post-concussion syndrome patients: case series.

Cannabidiol (CBD) can exert neuroprotective effects without being intoxicating, and in combination with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) CBD has shown to protect against THC psychosis. Acute concussion and post-concussion syndrome (PCS) can result in autonomic dysfunction in heart rate variability (HRV), but less information is available on blood pressure variability (BPV). Furthermore, the effects of phytocannabinoids on HRV and BPV in PCS are unknown. The purpose of this study was to observe the influence of daily administration of CBD or a combination of CBD and THC on HRV and BPV parameters in four female PCS participants. Participants completed a seated 5-min rest followed by six breaths-per-minute paced breathing protocol. Data was collected prior to phytocannabinoid intake and continued over 54 to 70 days. High frequency systolic BPV parameter increased every assessment period, unless altered due to external circumstances and symptoms. HRV parameters showed less consistent and varying responses. These results suggest that CBD can help to improve the altered autonomic dysfunction in those with PCS, and that responses to the drug administration was individualized. Double blinded, randomized controlled trials with greater sample sizes are required to better understand the influences of the varying dosages on human physiology and in PCS.

Ambulatory blood pressure and drug treatment for orthostatic hypotension as predictors of mortality in patients with multiple system atrophy.

OBJECTIVES: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia and autonomic failure. This study was aimed at investigating possible associations between mortality, 24-h blood pressure (BP) level and variability, and drug treatments for orthostatic hypotension (OH) in MSA patients. METHODS: A total of 129 patients followed at the French Reference Center for MSA who underwent routine 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring were included. Unified MSA Rating Scale (UMSARS) scores, drug treatments and the occurrence and cause of death were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy patients died during follow-up (2.9 ± 1.8 years), mainly from terminal illness, pulmonary or sudden death. Multivariate Cox regression analysis, after adjustment for gender, disease duration and severity (UMSARS I+II score), showed that increased daytime systolic BP variability, OH severity and OH drug treatment were independently correlated with mortality. OH treatment was associated with the risk of cardiac causes and/or sudden death (p = 0.01). In a fully adjusted model, male gender [(female vs. male) hazard ratio (HR) 0.56, 95% CI 0.34-0.94, p = 0.03], UMSARS I+II score (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, p < 0.01), systolic BP daytime variability (HR 3.66, 95% CI 1.46-9.17, p < 0.01) and OH treatment (HR: 2.13, 95% CI 1.15-3.94, p = 0.02) predicted mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Increased daytime BP variability and OH treatment were predictive of mortality in patients with MSA, independently from disease severity. Further studies are required to assess if these associations are explained by more severe autonomic dysfunction or if OH treatment exposes per se to a specific risk in this population.

Antispasmodic Potential of Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review.

Numerous medicinal plants have been utilized for the treatment of different types of diseases and disorders including gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. GI diseases are the most common complaints that normally affects the largest proportion of children and adolescents with overlapping clinical manifestation in diagnosis and medical needs. Drugs with antispasmodic effects are normally applied for the symptomatic treatment of contraction and cramping of smooth muscles in gastrointestinal diseases as well as in other critical clinical situations. In alternative system of medicines, the antispasmodic herbs played a significant role in the cure of GI diseases. These medicinal plants and their herbal products are used from generation to generation because of multiple nutritional and therapeutic benefits. The multiple uses might be attributed to the presence on biologically active chemical constitutes. The main aim of this review is to focus on the medicinal potential of plants possessing antispasmodic activities with their proposed mechanism of action. Several databases such as Google Scholar, Cochrane database, Scopus, and PubMed were used to search the relevant literature regarding "plants with antispasmodic activities." This present study highlights the updated and quantified information on several medicinal plants with antispasmodic activity like Zanthoxylum armatum, Matricaria chamomilla, Foeniculum vulgare, Pycnocycla spinosa, Atropa belladonna, Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha pulegium, Glycyrrhiza ularensis, Anethum graveolens, and Origanum majorana. Moreover, recent studies on other medicinal plant species also have been included in this review article. Additionally, the study also revealed that the active compounds of all these plants possess significant spasmolytic effect which is safest, efficacious, and cost effective as compared to the available synthetic drugs.

Rhabdomyolysis due to rosuvastatin in a patient with ROHHAD syndrome.

We report a 13-year-old female with rapid-onset obesity, hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) syndrome, panhypopituitarism, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, who developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury, two weeks after switching from lovastatin to rosuvastatin. She had been on lovastatin for eight years without any adverse effects.

Successful treatment of idiopathic Harlequin Syndrome with oxybutynin and propranolol.

Harlequin syndrome (HS) is a rare entity derived from the dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system. It is characterised by unilateral facial flushing and sweating induced by exercise, heat and emotion. Most cases are primary with an unknown pathogenic mechanism. In these cases, the prognosis is favourable. Medical or surgical treatments are not usually required for idiopathic HS. However, symptomatic treatment may be indicated when symptoms affect the quality of life of patients. We present the case of a patient with idiopathic HS successfully treated with oxybutynin and propranolol. In this patient, a marked improvement in both hyperhidrosis and facial erythema was noted with this combined therapy. We consider it of interest to highlight the response of our patient to the treatment employed, which may be advantageous in future cases of this rare disorder.

Therapeutic Applications of Botulinum Neurotoxin for Autonomic Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: An Updated Review.

Parkinson's disease is the most common age-related motoric neurodegenerative disease. In addition to the cardinal motor symptoms of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability, there are numerous non-motor symptoms as well. Among the non-motor symptoms, autonomic nervous system dysfunction is common. Autonomic symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease include sialorrhea, hyperhidrosis, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and urinary dysfunction. Botulinum neurotoxin has been shown to potentially improve these autonomic symptoms. In this review, the varied uses of botulinum neurotoxin for autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease are discussed. This review also includes discussion of some additional indications for the use of botulinum neurotoxin in Parkinson's disease, including pain.

Efficacy of combination therapy with gabapentin and guanfacine for paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity following hypoxic encephalopathy: a case report.

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a clinical syndrome of episodic sympathetic hyperactivities following severe acquired brain injury. It is characterized by paroxysmal hyperthermia, tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea, excessive diaphoresis, and specific posturing. Although the persistence of PSH increases the risk of several adverse events and worsens the prognosis, pharmacological treatments for PSH have not yet been clearly established. We report the valuable case of a 60-year-old man who developed PSH following hypoxic encephalopathy, which was effectively treated with a combination therapy of gabapentin and guanfacine. The present case suggests that combination therapy with gabapentin and guanfacine may be a therapeutic option for PSH.

Pharmacological Management of Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity: A Scoping Review.

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) occurs in ∼10% of patients following acute severe brain injury. While PSH is associated with worse outcomes, there are no clinical practice guidelines to inform treatment. We aimed to systematically review the literature on the pharmacological management of PSH. MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched from inception to August 2020. Eligible studies met the following criteria: 1) randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials (case control or controlled cohort), observational studies, case series, and case reports; 2) study population of adult and pediatric patients; 3) exposure to an acute neurological insult complicated by PSH (or historic synonym); 4) description of pharmacological treatment of PSH. Our search retrieved 2729 citations with 83 articles assessed for inclusion. After full text extraction, 56 manuscripts inclusive of 459 patients met eligibility criteria. We identified 31 case reports, 15 case series (152 patients), seven retrospective case control or cohort studies (212 patients), and three prospective observational studies (52 patients). Traumatic brain injury was the most common precipitating insult (407 patients), followed by hypoxic encephalopathy (72 patients) and intracranial hemorrhage (10 patients). There were 48 drugs from 22 classes prescribed for the management of PSH. The most frequently prescribed agents were benzodiazepines, ß-blockers, opioids, α-2 agonists, and baclofen. However, route and dose of drug and subsequent outcome were inconsistently reported, such that no summary was possible. While a wide variety of drugs have been reported to treat PSH, there is a lack of even moderate-quality evidence to inform clinical decision making.

Attenuation of Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy by Escin in Diabetic Rats.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a least diagnosed complication of diabetes. Inflammation and oxidative stress play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of cardiomyopathy and neuropathy. Escin has anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of escin in the management of CAN. Diabetes was induced in Sprague Dawley rats with streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetic animals were randomized in different groups after 6 weeks. Animals in the diabetic control group received no treatment, while animals in other groups received escin at dose 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg for 4 weeks. One group was kept as normal control. Various parameters like basic hemodynamic parameters, heart rate variability (HRV), oxidative stress parameters, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were assessed at the end of study. Escin significantly normalized hemodynamic parameters and HRV as compared to diabetic animals. Escin significantly reduced the malondialdehyde level and significantly increased reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels in diabetic animals. Escin treatment significantly reduced plasma MMP-9 level in diabetic rats. The improvement in the studied parameters was found mainly with administration of higher doses of escin (10 and 20 mg/kg). The escin treatment mitigates CAN in diabetic rats. The results of study indicate that escin can be useful option for management of CAN.