Botulinum toxin treatment for kinesia

Abstract

Methods for treating kinesia (motion sickness) by local administration of a Clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a cranial or neck area of a patient susceptible to motion sickness.

1 . A method for treating motion sickness, the method comprising a step of locally administering a  botulinum  toxin to a patient predisposed to experience motion sickness, thereby preventing the patient from experiencing motion sickness.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  botulinum  toxin is selected from the group consisting of  botulinum  toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  botulinum  toxin is a  botulinum  toxin type A.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  botulinum  toxin is administered in an amount of between about 1 unit and about 3,000 units.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local administration is by intramuscular or subcutaneous administration to a location on or within a head or neck of a patient.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local administration of the  botulinum  toxin is to a facial muscle of the patient.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local administration is to a frontalis muscle of the patient.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local administration to the forehead of the patient.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local administration of the  botulinum  toxin is to a subdermal head or neck location of a patient.  
   
   
       10 . A method for treating motion sickness, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) selecting a patient who has experienced motion sickness upon engaging in a first motion sickness engendering activity;    (b) administering a  botulinum  toxin to the patient, and;    (c) observing a reduced incidence of motion sickness in the patient when the patient engages in a second motion sickness engendering activity, thereby treating motion sickness.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the administering step is carried out by topical application of the  botulinum  toxin to the patient.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the administering step is carried out by local administration of the  botulinum  toxin to an ear or to the vicinity of the ear of the patient.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method treats a symptom of motion sickness selected from the group consisting of pallor, nausea, weakness, malaise, vomiting, vertigo and dizziness.  
   
   
       14 . A method for treating nausea associated with motion sickness, the method comprising the step of local administration of a therapeutic amount of a  botulinum  toxin to an ear of a human patient, thereby substantially alleviating nausea associated with motion sickness.  
   
   
       15 . A method for treating nausea and/or vomiting associated with motion sickness, the method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of a  botulinum  toxin, thereby treating nausea and/or vomiting associated with motion sickness.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the  botulinum  toxin is administered in conjunction with an antiemetic.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the motion sickness is a result of air travel.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the motion sickness is a result of sea vessel travel.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the motion sickness is a result of automobile travel.  
   
   
       20 . A method for treating nausea and/or vomiting associated with a cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy, the method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of a  botulinum  toxin, thereby treating nausea and/or vomiting associated with a cancer chemotherapy.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the  botulinum  toxin is administered subcutaneously.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the  botulinum  toxin is administered intramuscularly.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the  botulinum  toxin is administered systemically.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the  botulinum  toxin is administered with a needle.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the  botulinum  toxin is administered by needleless injection.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the nausea is reduced by from about 20% to 100%.