Use of botulinum toxin in the depression treatment: An integrative review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v12i11.43830

Keywords:

Botulinum toxin type A; Depression.

Abstract

Depression manifests as a set of symptoms that compromise an individual's quality of life. Due to the lack of success certain treatments in some patients, injections of botulinum toxin in the glabellar region have become a potential alternative to help alleviate symptoms associated with the psychiatric disorder. This is an integrative review on the use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of depression. We conducted a cross-referencing of the descriptors "Botulinum Toxin,"Depression, "Emotions," "Facial Feedback," and "Self-esteem" in the following databases: Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), National Library of Medicine (PubMed MEDLINE), and Google Scholar. The location of BoNT/A facial injections is relevant to the success of depression treatment. Glabellar BoNT injections can reduce symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Botulinum toxin can also influence the proprioception of emotions, according to the facial feedback theory. Adverse effects associated with BoNT are generally mild and transiente. Depressive symptoms tend to resurface after a few months of injections, indicating that BoNT may be more effective when used as complementary therapy. Meta-analysis results demonstrate that BTX-A injections have been effective as an adjuvant treatment in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). BTX-A presents itself as a highly relevant alternative for the treatment of depression. However, further research is needed to provide a deeper.

References

Arnone, D., Galadari, H., Rodgers, C. J., Östlundh, L., Abdel Aziz, K., Stip, E., & Young, A. H. (2021). Efficacy of onabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of unipolar major depression: Systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression analyses of double-blind randomized controlled trials. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 35(8), 910–918. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881121991827

Association, A. P. (2014). Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais (5 ª ed.). Artmed. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Bulnes, L. C., Mariën, P., Vandekerckhove, M., & Cleeremans, A. (2019). The effects of Botulinum toxin on the detection of gradual changes in facial emotion. Scientific Reports, 9, 11734. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48275-1.

Brin, M. F., Durgam, S., Lum, A., James, L., Liu, J., Thase, M. E., & Szegedi, A. (2020). OnabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of major depressive disorder: A phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adult females. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 35(1), 19–28. https://doi.org/10.1097/YIC.0000000000000290

Coles, N. A., Larsen, J. T., & Kuelz, A. (2019). Does Blocking Facial Feedback Via Botulinum Toxin Injections Decrease Depression? A Critical Review and Meta-Analysis. Emotion Review, 11(4), 294-309. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073919868762.

Costa, A. C. de F., Da Silva, E. C., & Gondim, D. V. (2022). Botulinum Toxin in Facial Aesthetics Affects the Emotion Process: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci, 20(4), 600–608. doi:10.9758/cpn.2022.20.4.600.

De Sousa, G. C., De Lima, T. B., De Almeida, V. C., & Lopes, T. d. R. (2023). Toxina Botulínica e o processamento das emoções: uma revisão de literatura sobre os efeitos além da pele. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 6(3), 13250-13264. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv6n3-378

Del Porto, J. A. (1999). Conceito e diagnóstico. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 21, 6-11. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-44461999000500003

Dong, H., Fan, S., Luo, Y., & Peng, B. (2018). Botulinum toxin relieves anxiety and depression in patients with hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat, 15, 33-36. doi:10.2147/NDT.S181820.

Dressler, D., & Adib Saberi, F. (2005). Botulinum toxin: mechanisms of action. Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria, 63(1), 180-185. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2005000100035.

E Sousa, F. G. de M. (1999). Tratamento da depressão. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 21, 18-23. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-44461999000500005

Fernandes, E. L., Amâncio, N. de F. G., Caixeta, C. A. S., & Saturnino, A. S. G. (2023). Principais tratamentos alternativos para a Ansiedade e Depressão: uma revisão de literatura. Brazilian Journal of Health Reviw, 6(1), 2062-2074. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv6n1-161

Finzi, E. (2023). Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Depression: A New Paradigm for Psychiatry. Toxins, 15(5), 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15050336

Guilherme, T. J. F., Liberato, K. B. C., Leite, A. L., Moreira, J. A., & Canuto, A. (2022). Toxina Botulínica na Prevenção de Rugas Faciais. Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências e Educação, 8(5), 2319-2333. https://doi.org/10.51891/rease.v8i5.5660

Lewis, M. B. (2018). The interactions between botulinum-toxin-based facial treatments and embodied emotions. Scientific Reports, 8, 14720. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-33119-1

Pimentel, F. de F., & Andrade, L. G. de. (2023). O uso da toxina botulínica no tratamento do envelhecimento precoce e no bem-estar do indivíduo. Revista Ibero-Americana de Humanidades, Ciências e Educação, 9(5), 4084. https://doi.org/10.51891/rease.v9i5.10243

Qian, H., Shao, F., Lenahan, C., Shao, A., & Li, Y. (2020). Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin vs. Placebo in Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 603087. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.603087

Wollmer, M. A., Magid, M., Kruger, T. H. C., & Finzi, E. (2022). Treatment of Depression with Botulinum Toxin. Toxins, 14(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14060383

Wollmer, M. A., Makunts, T., Krüger, T. H. C., & Abagyan, R. (2021). Postmarketing safety surveillance data reveals protective effects of botulinum toxin injections against incident anxiety. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 24173. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03713-x

Zagui, R. M. B., Matayoshi, S., & Castelo Moura, F. (2008). Efeitos adversos associados à aplicação de toxina botulínica na face: revisão sistemática com meta-análise. Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia, 71(6), 894-901. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-27492008000600027

Published

07/11/2023

How to Cite

PEREIRA, M. T. de O. R. .; BONTEMPO, C. R. .; SANTOS, E. R. .; BRANDÃO, U. R. . Use of botulinum toxin in the depression treatment: An integrative review. Research, Society and Development, [S. l.], v. 12, n. 11, p. e147121143830, 2023. DOI: 10.33448/rsd-v12i11.43830. Disponível em: https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/43830. Acesso em: 23 dec. 2024.

Issue

Section

Review Article