Intraspinal botulinum toxin for treating pain

A method for the in vivo attenuation of a nociceptive activity or experience of a human patient, the method comprising the step of intraspinal administration to a human patient a therapeutically effective amount of a botulinum toxin, thereby causing an in vivo attenuation of a nociceptive activity or experience of the human patient.

A method for treating pain, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) selecting a neurotoxin with antinociceptive activity;
• (b) choosing a portion of a central nervous system of a patient which influences a nociceptive activity;
• (c) intraspinally administering to the portion of the central nervous system chosen the neurotoxin selected.

A method for treating pain, the method comprising the step of administering a pharmaceutical preparation to the central nervous system or to a dorsal root ganglion of a mammal, thereby alleviating pain experienced by the mammal, wherein the pharmaceutical preparation comprises a neurotoxin and the pharmaceutical preparation is essentially free of any neuronal targeting moiety.

A method for improving patient function, the method comprising the step of administering a neurotoxin to the central nervous system or to a dorsal root gang lion of a mammal, thereby improving patient function as determined by improvement in one or more of the factors of reduced pain, reduced time spent in bed, increased ambulation, healthier attitude and a more varied lifestyle.