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MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR BLEPHAROSPASM - A BIT ON TRANSCRANIAL STIMULATION Toxin in Blepharospasm - a prospective double masked cross-over study with Investigators Rona Z Silkiss, MD, FACS, Arvind Chandna, MD, DO, FRCS, FRCOphth, Christopher Tyler B.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc., and Jayson Koppinger, MD. The current recommendation is that THC and CBD are generally safe to try but with some caution. Start low and go slow. Start with 100% CBD or low concentrations of THC and be aware of adverse effects, be aware of drug-drug interactions and be cautious about tolerance and dependence. A BIT ON TRANSCRANIAL STIMULATION Transcranial Stimulation is the use of magnetic energy or electrical stimulation of the brain from outside the scalp as opposed to deep brain stimulation (DBS) which is a major operation to insert electrodes into the brain. DBS has shown that it provides substantial relief for about 50 % of the patients who are getting 50% or more relief from Blepharospasm motor symptoms and severity, but like any major surgery, it has potential side effects such as infection and the need to replace he batteries, which may require additional surgery. The benefit of Transcranial Stimulation is that it is not an invasive procedure and does not carry the risks associated with DBS surgery.
Transcranial Magnetic vs Electrical stimulation. Transcranial Magnetic as suggested uses magnetic waves to stimulate the brain. No adverse side effects were observed with the use of this therapy. Transcranial Magnetic stimulation with blepharospasm patients showed some improvement in symptoms but the improvement did not last very long. 15-minute sessions only showed improvement for a few days as opposed to six or more weeks with botulinum toxin injections. When administered six weeks after injections the improvement lasted a while longer but not anywhere as long as botulinum toxin. Electrical stimulation uses either direct or alternating current to stimulate the brain. Two case studies seem to indicate that this direct electrical stimulation to improve blepharospasm symptoms seemed to work. Being a one patient “case study” however, makes it the least reliable research. As a result, more research is necessary and is in the works. In 2018, BEBRF Research Grant was funded for “Non-invasive inhibitory neurostimulation for the treatment of blepharospasm: A pilot study” with Investigator Brian D. Berman, MD, MS. The results of this study have not yet been completed and are expected soon.
EASY WAY YOU CAN FUNDRAISE! Facebook has made it very easy for you to put on a fundraiser for BEBRF. Many people commemorate their birthdays by holding a Facebook fundraiser for a non-profit charity, such as BEBRF. Consider doing this for BEBRF on your next birthday… or anniversary… and/or any other special event you would like to celebrate. If you would like information on how to do this successfully, please contact the office at 409-832-0788. BEBRF would like to acknowledge the following people who have held birthday fundraisers in the past year. The amount of money they raised ranged from $0 - $525, for a total of $4,928. Imagine if more people did this. Imagine if a LOT of people did this… Again, a very special thank you to the following: • • • • • • • • • • • 6
Shelley Anderson Peter Bakalor Jon Regina Bodzinski Fran Bruney Alicia Burton Clara Correll Pat DeMars Betty Carter-Craig Deppert Jovonda Gordon Susan Marie Haines Dan Irving
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Mandi Hart Jackson Britney Jones Jacquelyn Kennedy Evangeline Kessler Ilana Schwager Knopfelmacher Lea Krause Maureen McGannon Susan McQueen Nye Sean Pate Tamikio Nolan Roberson
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Angel Roberts Frances Rodrigues Robin Sommers LuAnn Tanzilli Mary Kathleen Theil Corrie Thomann Carrie Fucilla Thomas Sue Wong Sue Rogers Zimmerman Stephen C Zoeller
