Botox, made popular by aging celebrities to make forehead lines disappear has become so commonly used that Botox injections are available nearly everywhere. But Botox may now have a place in the treatment of pain and spascticity of muscles in stroke patients.

The conclusion of a study at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, showed that repeated treatments with Botox (botulinum toxin type A) over the course of one year, reduced pain intensity, pain frequency and decreased spasticity in upper limbs following stroke.

“In the clinical setting, limb stiffness and pain are the most commonly reported symptoms of spasticity following a stroke, and relief of spasticity-related pain is a priority treatment goal for many patients,” said Allison Brashear, M.D., professor and chairman of neurology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and head of the spasticity clinic at Wake Forest Baptist.

Study Shows Repeated Treatment With Botox® Decreases Pain And Intensity Of Spasticity Following A Stroke

Chemical changes in the brain that inhibit its ability to repair itself coupled with functional changes and restricted social interaction and activity may result in post-stroke depression. One third of patients will suffer depression following a stroke.

A study that followed 188 ischemic stroke survivors found that a straighforward care managment program worked better than relying solely on antidepressant medication.

The program, called AIM, consists of three steps:

Activating stroke survivors and their families to understand and accept depression diagnosis and treatment;
Initiating antidepressant medication and
Monitoring treatment effectiveness.

The study also concluded that screening for depression should be done within 30-60 days following a stroke instead of immediately afterwards because emotional changes which occur soon after stroke may not develop into depression.

Post-stroke depression is associated with higher death rates, dimimished recovery and increased risk of subsequent stroke.

Lead Author of the study was Linda Williams, M.D., associate professor of neurology and a Regenstrief Institute research scientist. In addition to Dr. Williams, co-authors of the study are Kurt Kroenke, M.D.; Wanzhu Tu, Ph.D.; and Hugh Hendrie, MB, ChB all of the IU School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute; Laurie Plue, M.S., of the Roudebush VA Medical Center; Tamilyn Bakas, D.N.S., of the IU School of Nursing; and Ed Brizendine, M.D. of the IU School of Medicine.

Getting your flu shot may not only help you avoid suffering from a bout of influenza but it may also reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Researchers say that when you reduce your risk of getting the flu, you also avoid the inflammatory effects in your heart’s arteries that can cause a heart attack.

Now an article in the journal Stroke says that the same may be true for stroke. According to the article, getting a flu shot cut the risk of stroke by nearly 60% for people aged 60 to 75.

This conclusion was based on a study of 90 survivors of stroke over age 60 compared with a control group. 56% of the control group had gotten a flu shot within five years compared to only 40% of the stroke group.

“America’s oldest teenager”, Dick Clark, is selling a lifetime of memories.

Fifty years after the first “American Bandstand” show aired, the 76-year-old Clark is auctioning off some impressive music memorabilia including a bass guitar played by Beatle Paul McCartney and a harmonica played by Bob Dylan. You can read more about the auction here.

Dick Clark is well-known for his years as the host of American Bandstand, the show our parents didn’t want us to watch (making it all the more attractive). In addition, he had success hosting the game show $25,000 Pyramid. His Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve debuted in 1972 and has become a tradition that continues to the present. Although Dick suffered a stroke in 2004, he struggled back to return as host of the New Year’s special in 2006. Many stroke survivors praised him for being a role model for those dealing with recovery from stroke.

Dick Clark is famous for his longevity, youthful appearance and energy. Although slowed by the stroke, Dick has battled bravely back and has been in front of the cameras doing what he does best: entertaining.

Dick Clark’s 77th birthday is Monday, November 30th so we here at Golden Agers would like to wish him a happy birthday a little in advance.