The Use of Botulinum Toxin for Treatment of Depression

A series of clinical studies have shown that botulinum toxin can treat major depression. Subjects suffering from unipolar depression may experience a quick, strong, and sustained improvement in the symptoms of depression after a single glabellar treatment with botulinum toxin. Preliminary data suggest that botulinum toxin therapy may also be effective in the treatment of other mental disorders characterized by an excess of negative emotions, such as borderline personality disorder. The mood-lifting effect of botulinum toxin therapy is probably mediated by the interruption of a proprioceptive feedback loop from the facial musculature to the emotional brain. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.