Could you take part in a new study on low-dose naltrexone and MS?

A new study will investigate whether low-dose naltrexone can improve the symptoms and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Study coordinator Victoria explains.

Harpal clinic is a functional medicine and bioidentical hormone clinic located in the heart of London in St Pauls. A progressive medical facility with a view to address the root cause of particular conditions or symptoms. The clinic supports a person’s body to work symbiotically through the correction of internal imbalances, utilising evidence-based holistic health strategies to support patients, particularly those with a chronic health condition.

We are currently recruiting participants for a clinical study set to begin in January/February 2023. Our clinical study will be measuring disease progression and symptom improvement in those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with the administration of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). Whilst there are many studies showing anecdotal evidence of symptom improvement in MS with LDN, this being our clinic’s experience too; we are hoping to demonstrate this definitively by measuring epigenetic ageing parameters. Our measuring tool will be GlycanAge – a functional test that is often associated with the health optimisation arena. GlycanAge testing looks to assess a person’s biological age, providing information on chronic inflammation.

We hope that by successfully demonstrating this change, the use of LDN for MS will be better accepted by other medical practitioners and its use more widespread. Participants will be contributing to this development. We also hope that it will give rise to opportunities such as further research and development within the study of LDN and other autoimmune diseases.

The study is fully funded (sponsored by Harpal Clinic, GlycanAge and Roseway labs).

What is LDN?

In 1984 naltrexone was approved by the FDA for use within the USA for the treatment of addictive behaviours such as alcohol addiction. Lower doses of naltrexone have a different mechanism of action to that of naltrexone, which upon administration, has been shown to support a wide range of conditions and symptoms, including MS. The dose used for treating addiction behaviours is between 50mg – 100mg per day, whereas LDN has a significantly lower administration dose, often starting at 0.5mg, titrating upwards to an optimal dose of 4.5mg per day.

LDN has been shown to upregulate endorphin production which can have a favourable impact on the immune response. There are also other mechanisms of action which have shown to be supportive for certain conditions. For more information on these please read the collection of research found on the LDN Research Trust website: https://ldnresearchtrust.org

Study information

If selected to take part in the study, each participant will be provided with a 30 minute functional medicine doctor consultation and subsequent check in appointments, 2 x GlycanAge test kits – one at baseline and one at 3 months, as well as LDN medication to cover them during the time that they are participating in the study. Our study coordinator will provide extensive support to each participant throughout the study process to guide them at various key points.

Taking part in our study is a good opportunity for those looking to be a part of innovative research, as well as having the opportunity to trial LDN and understand if it could be a supportive tool for one’s health.

If you would like to take part in the study and fit within the following criteria, please contact our team on 020 7096 5475 or email our study coordinator directly at: victoria@harpalclinic.co.uk

• You must have MS that has been diagnosed more than 2 years ago
• You must be aged between 18-45 or 55 years +
• You must be able to start the trial in early February 2023
• Participants must be based within the UK
• Participants must be able to commit to a minimum of 3 months
• The entire process will be online – however, if you would like to complete your initial consultation in person, we can facilitate this
• Please note, there is no cost to participate in this study
• Participants cannot start any new medications during the period of this study
• Participants must not have started any new medications in the last 6 months.

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