Any published studies of the effectiveness of LDN (low dose naltrexone) in combating Parkinson's Disease?

There is quite a bit of anecdotal evidence that LDN can help those afflicted by a number of diseases including MS, Aids, and Crohn's Disease. (See for example the book "Up the Creek with a Paddle" by Mary Anne Boyle Bradley). I would like to document any formal "double blind" clinical tests of LDN on Parkinson's. I have had PD for about 10 years and the standard drug regime is rapidly losing effectiveness. I am exploring the possibility of brain surgery called Deep Brain Stimulation but would be willing to try LDN. The main problem is to find a doctor who is willing to give me a prescription. Any help/advice on these matters is greatly appreciated. And many thanks in advance, Ron Wirick

I would encourage you to contact the staff at any major medical research hospital, on their neurosurgery homepage.

They may have a study that is going on, or they may be planning a study. If there is no study, ask them which staff member would be most motivated to help you, or ask them if they know of anyone working with LDN naltrexone and Parkinsons at another facility. If they can't help you, they may have a colleague elsewhere that might. Don't get blown off by the receptionist, if you don't get any info on the first try, consider sending an email to a different staff member that offers their email address on the page. You should also consider contacting anyone in the book that you mentioned in your question. it is highly likely that you're not the first person to contact the author, and you may be surprised at what you uncover.

Good Luck

There are no published double-blind clinical trials of "low dose naltrexone" in Parkinson's. However, naltrexone has been tried in parkinson's and was found to be ineffective (Rascol et al Movement Disorders 1994). You should discuss this with your neurologist. Deep brian stimulation, while it sounds scary can have dramatic results in parkinson's.