Movement Disorder Research Study for Blepharospasm Expands Age Range

Researchers are seeking participants with Benign Essential Blepharospasm (BEB) for a clinical research study that recently expanded the upper limit of the eligibility age range from 75 years of age to 80. If you (or someone you know) are between the ages of 18 and 80 and suffer from BEB, you may be eligible to participate in this study, which is under way at approximately 30 research centers in the United States.

Blepharospasm is a serious movement disorder in which individuals develop excessive blinking followed by eyelid spasms. The disorder can result in functional blindness due to sustained closure of the eyelids.

To be eligible to participate, individuals must have been diagnosed with BEB and must have been previously treated for BEB with at least two injections of BOTOX^®.

The purpose of this research study is to assess the safety and efficacy of an investigational drug in controlling excessive blinking. In previous laboratory studies, the drug did not show the development of antibodies. This may represent a clinical advance because the development of antibodies prevents long-term effective use of Botulinum toxins.

Additional information

For the clinical trial nearest you, contact the BEBRF Office at 1-409-832-0788.