Method and compositions for the treatment of cerebral palsy

Abstract

The invention provides for the use of a presynaptic neurotoxin (for example a bacterial neurotoxin such as botulinum toxin A) for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cerebral palsy in juvenile patients. The juvenile patients are preferably juveniles of up to 6 years in age.

1 . The use of a presynaptic neurotoxin for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cerebral palsy in juvenile patients.  
     
     
         2 . The use of a presynaptic neurotoxin for the manufacture of a medicament for the promotion of normal muscle growth in a juvenile patient suffering from dynamic contractures due to cerebral palsy.  
     
     
         3 . The use according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the presynaptic neurotoxin is a bacterial neurotoxin.  
     
     
         4 . The use according to  claim 3  wherein the bacterial neurotoxin is a botulinum toxin.  
     
     
         5 . The use according to  claim 4  wherein the botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin A.  
     
     
         6 . The use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the medicament is for the treatment of a human up to six years in age.  
     
     
         7 . A method of treating a juvenile patient suffering from arrested muscle growth arising from the presence of dynamic contractures of the muscle, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a substance which blocks the release of synaptic vesicles-containing acetylcholine.  
     
     
         8 . A method of treating a juvenile patient suffering from cerebral palsy, which method comprises administering to the juvenile patient a therapeutically effective amount of a substance which blocks the release of synaptic vesicles containing acetylcholine.  
     
     
         9 . A method of treating a juvenile patient suffering from arrested muscle growth arising from the presence of dynamic contractures of the muscle, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a presynaptic neurotoxin, for example a bacterial neurotoxin such as botulinum toxin.  
     
     
         10 . A method of treating juvenile cerebral palsy in a juvenile patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a presynaptic neurotoxin, for example a bacterial neurotoxin such as botulinum toxin.  
     
     
         11 . A method of promoting normal muscle growth in a juvenile patient suffering from dynamic contractures due to cerebral palsy, which method comprised administering to the juvenile patient a therapeutic amount of a presynaptic neurotoxin, for example a bacterial neurotoxin such as botulinum toxin.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to any one of  claims 6  to  11  wherein the juvenile patient is a human up to six years image.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to any one of  claims 6  to  12  wherein the said substance or presynaptic neurotoxin is a botulinum toxin.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin A.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13  or  claim 14  wherein the botulinum toxin is administered by intramuscular injection, eg into a spastic muscle.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13  or  claim 14  wherein the botulinum toxin is administered by intramuscular injection into the calf muscle or hamstring.