The history of treatment with botulinum toxin in the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic

prof. MUDr. Petr Kaňovský, CSc., FEAN, prof. MUDr. Jan Benetin, Ph.D., prof. MUDr. Egon Kurča, Ph.D., FESO

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):167-171 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.029

The first reports of the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin in the former Czechoslovakia date back to the early 1990s when several patients were treated for blepharospasm in Prague. After the country's split, so-called extrapyramidal centres (or centres for abnormal movements, or centres for neurodegenerative diseases, with the names not having been standardized) were established in both parts of the country, and botulinum toxin therapy naturally became concentrated there. Czech and Slovak neurologists conducted both experimental and corporate research, which resulted in a number of interesting discoveries that subsequently led to improvements in treatment...

Botulinum toxin in the treatment of cervical dystonia, blepharospasm and eyelid opening apraxia

MUDr. Vladimír Haň, PhD., MHA

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):176-180 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.019

Focal dystonias are a heterogeneous group of movement disorders for which botu­linum toxin type A is the first-line treatment. Despite its proven efficacy, up to one-third of patients report suboptimal outcomes, often due to incorrect muscle targeting, inadequate dosing, or technical limitations. Guidance techniques such as EMG and ultrasound significantly enhance therapeutic efficacy. Botulinum toxin type A is essential in managing cervical dystonia, blepharospasm and apraxia of eyelid opening. Optimal care requires an individualized approach, including dose and interval adjustments, as well as targeted management of non-motor symptoms that influence...

Botulinum toxin treatment of oromandibular and laryngeal dystonia

MUDr. Monika Turčanová Koprušáková, PhD., MUDr. Jozef Haring, PhD., MUDr. Ján Necpál, PhD.

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):181-185 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.022

Oromandibular and laryngeal dystonia are relatively rare focal dystonia with diverse etiology and clinical presentation. Although botulinum toxin treatment is considered off-label in both, empirical experience points to its effect and justification in clinical practice. Adequate erudition in application, often with the need for EMG navigation, and multidisciplinary patient care in both types of diseases increase the likelihood of symptomatic improvement of their condition.

Botulinum toxin in the treatment of headache

MUDr. Simona Szabóová, MUDr. Oľga Duraníková, PhD., prof. MUDr. Peter Valkovič, PhD.

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):188-193 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.020

Onabotulinumtoxin A (OnaBoNT/A) is a neurotoxin with a complex mechanism of action that influences not only neuromuscular transmission but also the modulation of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, which play a key role in the pathophysiology of primary and certain secondary headache disorders. Currently, OnaBoNT/A is considered an effective and safe prophylactic therapy for chronic migraine and has been approved for this indication by both American and European regulatory authorities. It also represents a promising treatment option for other types of headaches, including trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and trigeminal neuralgia. Further expansion...

Integrated approach to the treatment of spastic paresis using botulinum toxin and physiotherapy

Mgr. Ota Gál, Ph.D., prof. MUDr. Robert Jech, Ph.D., Mgr. Václav Matys, MUDr. Martina Hoskovcová, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):194-199 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.032

Spastic paresis represents a complex clinical syndrome and it's management requires an integrated approach combining pharmacological interventions with targeted physiotherapy. This article summarizes key aspects of the pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment of spastic paresis, with particular emphasis on the role of botulinum toxin and contemporary physiotherapeutic approaches. The aim is to provide practical guidance for optimizing treatment plans in patients with spastic paresis.

Gold Coast Criteria - new criteria for determination the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

doc. MUDr. Edvard Ehler, CSc., prof. MUDr. Ivana Štětkářová, CSc., MHA

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):200-202 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2025.067

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a systemic and fatal neurodegenerative disorder with degeneration of central and peripheral motoneurons, non-motor symptoms and non-interrupted progression of disease. The old diagnostic criteria are very complicated and setting of diagnosis comes late, frequently at the terminal stage of disease. The new diagnostic criteria - Gold Coast criteria - were developed by a group of specialists in 2020 and their implementation in clinical practise will shorten the time to the diagnose setting. This will be advantageous for new treatment introduction, for shortening of repeated and often demanding methods and for providing...

Pain as one of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis

MUDr. Zuzana Rous, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):203-207 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.005

Pain is a common, but often underestimated symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). It significantly affects the patient's quality of life, working capacity as well as their mental state. The most common type is neuropathic pain, followed by pain associated with spasticity and nociceptive musculoskeletal pain; moreover, patients with MS tend to develop headaches more frequently. Diagnosing the type of pain and choosing the appropriate treatment are often challenging and require a multidisciplinary approach. The article presents an overview of the pathophysiology, clinical forms, diagnostic options, and current therapeutic approaches to pain management in...

Genetics in neurology: What can be expected from genetic testing in neurological patients?

RNDr. Anna Uhrová Mészárosová, Ph.D., Mgr. Alena Musilová, Ph.D., doc. MUDr. Dana Šafka Brožková, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):208-217 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.016

A large proportion of neurological diseases have a genetic origin, and this genetic background cannot be simplified into a single category. Conversely, most genetically determined diseases have neurological manifestations. Furthermore, thanks to current molecular genetic methods and new treatment options for genetic diseases, we are on the threshold of a new era. Currently, exome sequencing is the gold standard for investigating heterogeneous diseases, which include most genetic neurological disorders. However, like other diagnostic molecular genetic methods, it has its limits and specific applications. Despite the rapid development of genetic diagnostic...

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) as biomarkers disease activity and therapeutic response in multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab

prof. MUDr. Pavel Štourač, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):218-221 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.033

Multiple sclerosis is chronic autoimmune disease with very variable interindividual clinical course and response to the treatment. There is an effort to find biomarkers which reflect two basic aspects of immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, i.e. inflammatory activity and neurodegeneration. We have two biomarkers, neurofilament light chains and glial fibrillary acidic protein measured in serum which mirror both processes, i.e. neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. We will be able to evaluate the drug efficacy, as shown in this report specifically of ocrelizumab in multiple sclerosis and to modify the treatment according to the principles of...

Chronic pain and its treatment options

MUDr. Šimon Kozák

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):222-226 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2026.035

Chronic pain is a major healthcare problem with significant impact on quality of life and healthcare resources. It is defined as pain persisting for more than three months and may arise from multiple pathophysiological mechanisms. Musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis represent common causes. Management of chronic pain requires a comprehensive approach combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain an important option for symptomatic treatment of inflammatory pain. Aceclofenac, available for example as Biofenac 100 mg film-coated...

Subacute progressive polyneuropathy as a manifestation of Churg-Strauss syndrome - a case report

MUDr. Kristián Šveda, doc. MUDr. Milan Grofik, PhD., MUDr. Monika Turčánová Koprušáková, PhD., MUDr. Jana Olekšáková, PhD., prof. MUDr. Egon Kurča, PhD., FESO

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):227-230 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2025.031

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA), also known as Churg-Strauss Syndrome, is a disease characterized by necrotizing vasculitis affecting medium- and small-caliber arteries. Approximately 40-50 % of patients with EGPA have positive ANCA antibodies and exhibit a "vasculitic" phenotype, presenting with myalgias, migratory polyarthralgias, weight loss, mononeuropathy multiplex, and renal involvement. This article describes the case of a 55-year-old patient with subacute-onset symmetrical axonal polyneuropathy and negative ANCA antibodies, who was diagnosed with EGPA. The presented case highlights the importance of through differential...

Zaznělo na 13. konferenci Neurologie pro praxi, 27.-28. ledna 2026, Plzeň – Co bychom měli vědět o magneziu

MUDr. Zuzana Zafarová

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):231-234

Zaznělo na 38. českém a slovenském epileptologickém sjezdu, 9.-10. dubna 2026, České BudějovicePacienti s Lennox-Gastaut syndromem v éře moderních terapií

MUDr. Zuzana Zafarová

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):235-239

Zaznělo na XIX. Neuromuskulárním kongresu, 23.–24. dubna 2026, Brno

MUDr. Eva Gavendová

Neurol. praxi. 2026;27(3):240-245