LDN Information Sources NIHR HTA page

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Text Box: Now collecting Signatures for Petition to European Parliament:
For more information see EU Petition page

Proposal of LDN as a Research Topic to HTA

Andrew Barnett first suggested LDN as a Research Topic to the HTA.

The HTA panel considered this suggestion on 19^th Jan 2010, but their initial response was negative – see their letter to Andrew HERE.

Several people protested this decision, and we understand that HTA have agreed to reopen this topic. We expect to have a further communication from HTA by 10^th March.

This was our response to the HTA which we submitted on 9^th Feb.

We have now submitted a second suggestion to the HTA. This was submitted online on 23^rd Feb and by email on 24^th Feb.

Our Submission has also been sent by post on 02^nd Mar along with an information pack on trials, research, clinical experience, etc.

Please note that the information pack is a very large zip file (approx 3.6MB) of a Word document.

Since this information pack was compiled and sent to HTA, results from further trials have become available:

(1) Dr Jarred Younger from Stanford University presented initial results of his Fibromyalgia study at the 2^nd European LDN Conference in Glasgow on 24^th April 2010. See short extract below, or visit the 2^nd Conference website.

(2) Dr Jill Smith has results from her Chrons study.

See letter that Bob Thompson submitted to the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee, and abstract from results of trial.

Source for the Abstract is:

Naltrexone Therapy Improves Activity and Promotes Mucosal Healing in Active Crohn’S Disease: a Placebo-Controlled Trial

(http://bit.ly/d6SZo3)

(3) Dr Ian Zagon’s email dated 15^th June 2010 along with 2 of his published papers. (Summaries already included in the information pack sent to HTA). See below.

NOTE: Both Dr.Jarred Younger and Dr. Jill Smith are currently seeking to have their results published.

05^th March: HTA acknowledged receipt of email and package received by post on 04^th March.

29^th March: HTA advised us of current status

Our suggestion “will be assessed in the period leading up to the June/July 2010 panel round (29^th June to 9^th July).”

See further follow up correspondence on the News page.

Dr Jarred Younger:- Extract from Report on the 2nd European LDN Conference o 24^th April 2010:

Following a delicious lunch, the audience waited with baited breath for the much anticipated presentation from Dr Jarred Younger from Stanford University in America! Unfortunately, due to the travel chaos, Dr Younger had to talk to the audience via Skype video link, and after a few technical hitches, the audience were able to see him clearly on screen. Dr Younger has been researching the benefits of LDN for those with Fibromyalgia and his preliminary findings are looking extremely promising. He has been investigating the effects of LDN on the microglial cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Dr Younger is proposing that these cells are constantly throwing out inflammatory markers in those with Fibromyalgia and that these patients may also have an exaggerated response to opioids and cortisol. LDN decreases the excitability of these microglial cells and therefore may be beneficial to those with Fibromyalgia.

At the time of press, Dr Younger was continuing to analyse the results of his study in greater detail. We will be able to bring you his indepth results as soon as his research paper is published.

Dr Ian Zagon:- Information provided to Jayne Crocker by email on 15^th June 2010

From: jaynelcrocker [mailto:jaynelcrocker@gmail.com]
Sent: 15 June 2010 16:22
To: 'LDNforFibro@yahoogroups.com'; 'Any_Other_Dose_LDN@yahoogroups.com'; 'lowdosenaltrexone@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: Dosing Twice a Day - From Dr Ian Zagon

To put this matter to rest, I contacted Dr Zagon for his views on dosing 4.5mg x 2/day and the below is his response:-

Dear Jayne:
First, LDN is an immunosuppressant - not an immunostimulant (as thought - wrongly - by many).
Second, we recommended a dosage of 3 - 10 mg/day based on pharmacokinetics. 9 mg/day - getting to the edge but should be okay - this
person may not be optimizing her dosage however. Remember - you only want the LDN working for 4-6 hr/day - the higher the dosage the longer it hangs
around and the shorter the time for your endorphins to work.
Third, stress has nothing to do with LDN.
Fourth, I am seeing some people who become tolerant to LDN and need to take it once every 2 and some every 3 days. I can tell you that LDN
can work even as long as once every 4 or 5 days.
Dr. Zagon

Jayne Crocker

Further to my earlier email from Dr Zagon, I questioned LDN being an immuno suppressant - please see his response below and articles attached.
Jayne Crocker

Dear Jayne:
We have a paper in press - Immunobiology - that B lymphocytes are suppressed in cell proliferation by the OGF-OGFr axis - this is how LDN does its job. When the paper comes out I will send it to you. We have another paper submitted showing that T lymphocytes are also suppressed in cell proliferation by OGF. Our studies under in vivo conditions are underway and stand in agreement with our other results.
I have spent considerable time in these studies reviewing much of the flawed investigations from past researchers giving the false impression
that LDN is an immunostimulant. There are papers suggesting otherwise – we have nailed it down to the molecular level. Knockdown OGFr and OGF does not
work!!! Now, use your head - would you want more immune response if you have MS or arthritis or lupus. No. This would make autoimmune diseases
worse. If I did not do so earlier, I will attach 2 papers on MS.

Click on LINK.

1. LINK Opioid growth factor suppresses expression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (Zagon et al) available at www.sciencedirect.com
2. LINK Endogenous Opioids Regulate Expression of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis : a New Paradigm for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (Zagon et al)

Dr. Zagon

See John Donnelly’s proposal on Your Country, Your Call. It got the most support.

http://proposals.yourcountryyourcall.com/ct/ct_a_view_idea.bix?c=D284E307-BEF9-4396-AF6E-14009EAB8647&idea_id=F401082C-94B9-46AE-BB2D-C296A2870059

Committed to saving

lives using LDN