Low Dose Naltrexone Therapy In Multiple Sclerosis

[Garnet]

Link to Article Abstract:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...539ce2dfb328d9

Medical Hypotheses
Volume 64, Issue 4, 2005, Pages 721-724

Low Dose Naltrexone Therapy In Multiple Sclerosis

Y.P. Agrawal

Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Room 153 B MRC, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242-1182, USA. yashpal-agrawal@uiowa.edu
Tel.: +319 335 7244; fax: +319 339 7148

Summary
The use of low doses of naltrexone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) enjoys a worldwide following amongst MS patients. There is overwhelming anecdotal evidence, that in low doses naltrexone not only prevents relapses in MS but also reduces the progression of the disease. It is proposed that naltrexone acts by reducing apoptosis of oligodendrocytes. It does this by reducing inducible nitric oxide synthase activity. This results in a decrease in the formation of peroxynitrites, which in turn prevent the inhibition of the glutamate transporters. Thus, the excitatory neurotoxicity of glutamate on neuronal cells and oligodendrocytes via activation of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid class of glutamate receptor is prevented. It is crucial that the medical community respond to patient needs and investigate this drug in a clinical trial.