Abstract

AbobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of upper limb spasticity

Author(s): Wolfgang H Jost

Upper limb spasticity is a common feature of many conditions arising from stroke, brain injury or progressive neurological illness and can cause significant disability. Current guidelines recommend first-line treatment with botulinum neurotoxin type A. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of one type of botulinum neurotoxin type A – abobotulinumtoxinA – including its mechanism of action, efficacy and safety. Overall, there is a wealth of evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of abobotulinumtoxinA in the management of spasticity. Key findings from randomized controlled and open-label naturalistic studies support abobotulinumtoxinA as an efficacious long-term treatment for upper limb spasticity, with benefits extending to overall patient function as well as direct improvements in muscle tone.