Low-dose naltrexone reduced anxiety in persons with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have been considered at high risk for vaccination and/or acquisition of COVID-19 related to their reduced immune systems and daily regimen of immune suppressing therapy. Substantiated and unsubstantiated reports on these unknown circumstances increased anxiety...

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Veröffentlicht in:International immunopharmacology 2022-12, Vol.113 (Pt B), p.109438-109438, Article 109438
Hauptverfasser: McLaughlin, Patricia J., Odom, Laura B., Arnett, Peter A., Orehek, Shannon, Thomas, Gary A., Zagon, Ian S.
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have been considered at high risk for vaccination and/or acquisition of COVID-19 related to their reduced immune systems and daily regimen of immune suppressing therapy. Substantiated and unsubstantiated reports on these unknown circumstances increased anxiety and depression. Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a potentially effective off-label therapy shown to be effective at controlling fatigue for several autoimmune disorders including MS. This study utilized a small population of PwMS from central Pennsylvania in order to determine whether LDN therapy altered their perceived anxiety or depression during the early months of COVID-19. Utilizing mailed surveys, self-reported anxiety and depression scores were found to be significantly lower for PwMS who were prescribed LDN either alone or as an adjuvant to a standard disease modifying therapy (DMT) in comparison to those on oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The data suggest that the non-toxic, inexpensive biotherapeutic may be beneficial in lessening anxiety.
ISSN:1567-5769
1878-1705
DOI:10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109438