Why was this research done?

People with Trigeminal Neuralgia suffer from episodes of severe facial pain that feel like electric shocks or a stabbing pain that last for a few seconds to several minutes on one side of the face. It is believed to be caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve which is the nerve that supplies several areas in the face and head including the jaw, gums, teeth, lips and forehead. These episodes can be triggered by talking, chewing, touching the face or brushing teeth.

BTX-A is a toxin that is produced by a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. Small doses of this toxin given by needle are used to block signals from the nerves to the muscles. This review of research studies looked at whether BTX-A could be a treatment option for people with Trigeminal Neuralgia who haven't found relief with other more commonly used treatments. The results show that BTX-A may reduce pain for some people. However, the studies included in the review had short timelines and used different types of injections (e.g. just under the skin vs deeper), so it is unclear if BTX-A works the same way for everyone or what the long-term effects might be. The most common side effects of BTX-A were swelling, bruising and temporary paralysis of one side of the face. More trials comparing BTX-A to other treatments are needed to fully understand how well it works over time.