The use of low doses of naltrexone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) enjoys a worldwide following amongst MS patients. There is overwhelming anecdotal evidence, that in low doses naltrexone not only prevents relapses in MS but also reduces the progression of the disease. It is proposed that naltrexone acts by reducing apoptosis of oligodendrocytes. It does this by reducing inducible ...

The ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vPAG) is an important component in a brainstem system involved in the endogenous modulation of nociception and defensive behavior. The present study was conducted to determine if opioid receptors within the vPAG contribute to the hypoalgesia seen in rats during presentation of a Pavlovian CS for footshock. Independent groups of animals received microinject...

The toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) is expressed in glial cells and reacts to potential toxic entities. This activation triggers various inflammatory reactions. (+)-Naloxone and (+)naltrexone, dextrorotatory enantiomers of opioid receptor antagonists [respectively, (−)naloxone and (−)-naltrexone], have been demonstrated to dock to TLR4 using “in-silico ” models, and function as an antagonist at thi...

Spinally transected rats given legshock whenever one hindleg is extended learn to maintain a flexion response that decreases net shock exposure. Prior exposure to response-independent (noncontingent) shock prevents learning. This behavioral deficit was eliminated by systemic administration of the nonselective opioid antagonist naltrexone (Experiment 1). The deficit was also blocked by intrathec...

S. HERLING, R.J. VALENTINO, R.E. SOLOMON and J.H. WOODS, Narcotic discrimination in pigeons." Antagonism by naltrexone, European J. Pharmacol. 105 (1984) 137-142. In pigeons trained to discriminate between morphine (10 mg/kg) and saline, both morphine and ethylketazocine produced dose-related morphine-appropriate responding. The maximum effect produced by meperidine, however, was only 60% of th...

BACKGROUND Drug abuse is a problem that causes a wide array of social, emotional, and physical problems and involves both patients and the society. Helping the addicted has always been a priority for physicians and especially psychiatrists. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the effects of methadone and naltrexone in general well-being of patients undergoing these treatments. ...

This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study explored the central nervous processing of itch induced by histamine and capsaicin, delivered via inactivated cowhage spicules, and the influence of low-dose naltrexone. Scratch bouts were delivered at regular intervals after spicule insertion in order temporarily to suppress the itch. At the end of each trial the subjects rated their itch...

We assessed the neurochemical basis of olfactory learning induced by presentations of odor and moderate shock in infant rats. Paradoxically, shock conditioning produces an odor preference in 8-day-olds, but an odor aversion in 12-day-olds. Studies have demonstrated the importance of opioids in early olfactory learning; their specific role remains undefined. In this study, postnatal Days 8 and 1...

BACKGROUND Opioid dependence is a significant public health problem associated with high risk for relapse if treatment is not ongoing. While maintenance on opioid agonists (i.e., methadone, buprenorphine) often produces favorable outcomes, detoxification followed by treatment with the μ-opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone may offer a potentially useful alternative to agonist maintenance for s...

By George C. Coleman, Joseph B. Williams & 3 more. A retrospective chart review of 47 patients with OUD initiating either buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP-NX) or extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) showed higher rates retention in outpatient treatment for those treated BUP-NX.