[rd42]

What do the white rats think of LDN? (and anyone else of course )

[Curious]

there are many members of the ms forum here that are on ldn.

[RLSmi]

LDDM, that is low-dose dextromethorphan. This drug is in the same class as naltrexone; dextrorotatory morphinans, along with naloxone and the metabolic product of dextromethorphan, hydroxy-dextromethorphan. All of these, along with the endogenous opioids dynorphin and methionine enkephalin, have the property of somehow diminishing the activation of microglial cells in the brain by aggregated proteins or some other unknown substance(s). It is thought that microglial activation, with their production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and certain cytokines like TNF-alpha start a vicious cycle of injuring neurons which, in turn, secrete other substances which further activate the microglial cells. This general process is now thought to contribute to the progressive nature of several neurodegenerative diseases such as PD, MS, AD, ALS and ?? Recently, LDN has also been shown to effectively control Crohns' disease, another inflammatory condition, by a group at Penn State Med Center.

The really weird property of these microglial-calming substances is that they are apparently effective at impossibly low concentrations, femto-molar. Also, the most effective way to take them (at least naltrexone and dextromethorphan) is once a day, preferably at bedtime. Whatever receptors respond to them apparently require a short "spike" of the drug, after which the effect (still not fully understood) occurs.

This is how I understand it, anyhow. Literature links to the scientific work that has been done can be found on the web at LDN.org, or on postings on this forum by AshleyK or myself.

Robert

[rd42]

If Dextromethorphan is in the same class as Naltrexone, I wonder if Naltrexone would not get along with Azilect. On the other hand if only a a small dose is required it may not cause any noticeable side effects. Who knows about long term use though...

Thanks for the info, interesting.

[reverett123]

One thing about the DM is that it has been around for a long time, has been used extensively by all ages, has been abused at huge doses, etc. It has had every opportunity to reveal any problems and yet they are almost nonexistent. In fact, if one compares it to other PD drugs it wins hands down in this department.

The only negatives I have been able to find are the theoretical problems with requip in the liver and the slow metabolism issue for 20% of the population. The first may not be a problem and the second may just require a dosage correction.

[stevem53]

I take DM, so I cant speak much about LDN, except that AshleyK has been taking it for 3 years or better, and not only hasnt progressed, but was able to cut her med regimen down as well

As Curious mentioned, there are some folks on the MS forum who have been using it with positive results..From what I understand, it has been used to treat HIV and Cronins Disease as well..I think it was initially used to treat HIV