Re: Hershey PA study on LDN

[Guest guest]

Sue and ,

Here's some information on the Penn State grant which went to the

College of Medicine. You might be able to find more information on

enrollement at the psu website or contact Young at

syoung@... or 717-531-8606. --Elliot

http://live.psu.edu/story/17985

Penn State research shows withdrawal drug offers relief for Crohn's

sufferers

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

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Hershey, Pa. -- A Penn State College of Medicine pilot study suggests

that a drug used to ease symptoms of alcohol and drug addiction may

also bring relief to people with Crohn's disease, a chronic

inflammatory disorder of the intestine that affects an estimated

500,000 Americans.

In the study, patients with diagnosed Crohn's disease were treated

with a low dose of naltrexone, an FDA-approved drug used to ease

symptoms of withdrawal from substance abuse, and monitored for

improvement of symptoms for 12 weeks. Quality of life surveys were

given every four weeks for 16 weeks.

Jill P. , a gastroenterology specialist and researcher at the

College of Medicine and Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center,

presented her findings recently in Los Angeles at the National

Association of Gastroenterologists annual Digestive Diseases Week

conference.

The results showed that 89 percent of participants showed an

improvement with therapy, while 67 percent achieved remission of

symptoms. The only side effect to treatment was sleep disturbance in

some patients.

Typical treatment for Crohn's involves using steroids or

corticosteroids, which suppress the immune system and can have other

toxic side effects. Treatment is often time-intensive and expensive,

as well.

" This is a novel approach to treating a common disease, and it's

simple, it's safe, and it costs far less than current standards of

treatment, " said. " We don't yet know the exact mechanisms

involved in how it works, but we're working on that as well. "

initiated the study using a Dean's Feasibility Grant -- a

program designed to encourage investigators to design trials in their

area of expertise and seek outside funding. The National Institutes

of Health (NIH) recently awarded the College of Medicine $500,000 for

the team to continue the study.

In a related study, and other College of Medicine researchers

are studying the chemical and molecular mechanisms involved in

suppression of inflammatory responses in the intestine when animals

are treated with naltrexone. 's second team is awaiting a

decision on an NIH grant application for that study.

Team members on the first study include Stock,

Bingaman and Mauger, Department of Health Evaluation Sciences,

and Ian Zagon, Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn

State College of Medicine.

Members of the second study team include Gail L. Matters, and F.

Harms, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Leo

Fitzpatrick, Department of Surgery; and Anuj Parikh and

Nilo, Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine.

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Contact

Young

syoung@...

717-531-8606

Aletha: Where in Hershey?

Which facility. I called Penn State Medical

> Center [in Hershey, PA] and they said it's not them. I am 2 hours

from

> Hershey and would love to get involved in the clinical trial.

Please let me

> know.

>

> Thanks

> MS X6 months, Copaxone

>

> Sullivan

> Training Technician

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