Kerry: We have to attack Syria or the rebel forces will gain strength. Er, what?

[Ichingcarpenter]

1. Botox May Affect the Brain-scientific study

A study now shows that Allergan Incorporated’s Botox, or botulinum neurotoxin type A, a wrinkle remedy, may move from the site of the injection to the brain. On April 2nd a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience claimed that botulism was found in the brain stems of test rats. Scientists had previously injected these rats’ whisker muscles with the botulism toxin, and tests of their brain tissue revealed these surprising results.

The authors of the study wrote that this neurotoxin may change the circuitry of the spinal cord as well as interrupt communication via nerve cells. Matthew Avram, the director of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Dermatology, Laser and Cosmetic Center claims that the study may not be a certain prediction of what happens in people due to the fact that human physiology deviates from rat and mouse physiology, but he does think the idea needs focused follow-up. If it is, in fact, being transmitted to the central nervous system, there may be big problems, but as Avram says, “this treatment has been used on millions of people for years, and we’re not seeing major central nervous system uses with it.”

This could affect millions, however, due to the popularity of the treatment. With $1.21 billion in sales last year, Botox is the company’s most popular and biggest selling product. It was approved in 1989 and originally was fashionable for celebrities. Since then, it has expanded into the middle class market. Currently Botox and Myobloc, a product from Solstice Neurosciences Incorporated, are being investigated as causes of botulism, an illness with symptoms of weakened muscles.

A spokeswoman from Allergan, Caroline Van Hove says that more work is necessary because the study contradicts previous findings and it lacks a conclusion. In a statement, Van Hove said, “The authors used a laboratory preparation of botulinum toxin and did not use Botox, and data suggest that different preparations of botulinum toxin react differently in both the laboratory and in clinical practice.”

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1323984/botox_may_affect_the_brain/

I can't explain his behavior lately otherwise.