What is botox?
- Botox, a form of botulinum neurotoxin, disrupts neuronal communication, causing muscle paralysis. While therapeutic doses ease muscle spasms and treat migraines, high doses can lead to botulism, a potentially fatal disease.
How does botox work?
- Botox primarily uses botulinum toxin type A, a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
- When injected into muscles, Botox blocks the signals from the nerves to the muscles. Normally, these nerve signals cause muscles to contract and move.
- The point where the nerve endings meet the muscle cells is called the neuromuscular junction. Botox interferes with the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for transmitting signals from nerves to muscles.
- By preventing the release of acetylcholine, Botox induces temporary muscle paralysis. This effect is localised to the specific muscles where it’s injected.
What is botulism and how can it be fatal?
- The botulinum toxin affects the nervous system, causing muscle paralysis. This paralysis can extend to the muscles involved in breathing, leading to respiratory failure and death.
New research:
- Recent molecular imaging research at the University of Queensland has unveiled the process by which Botox enters neurones, employing three receptors:
- polysialoganglioside (PSG)
- synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2)
- synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1).
This breakthrough has significant implications for developing drugs that could counteract the neurotoxic effects of Botox, potentially preventing paralysis and fatalities.