Trial of Naltrexone and Dextromethorphan for Gulf War Veterans' Illness

Abstract

Gulf war veterans illnesses comprise distinct clusters of symptom-defined illnesses (1,2) for which there are neither diagnostic tests nor effective treatments. Gulf war veterans had variable exposures to a number of chemicals (3), including organophosphate insecticides, pyrethrum-related insecticides, DEET, Pyridostimine bromide, smoke from oil well fires, and Sarin gas. Gulf war veterans illnesses may reflect an inflammatory cycle involving the brain which may be a common mechanism of many neurological conditions, whether initiated by toxic exposures, infection, or trauma. In this theory, central nervous system inflammation initiated by toxic exposures and sometimes exacerbated by subsequent exposures is a component of illness hypothesized to explain the neurological manifestations. Substance P release at sensory nerve endings is an explanation for the peripheral pain manifestations of illness. This theory suggests that novel anti-inflammatory drugs may be of benefit in symptomdefined illnesses related to a cycle of inflammation. Dr. J. S. Hong s laboratory at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has demonstrated that Morphine-related analogs, including Naltrexone and Dextromethorphan, have great potency in anti-inflammation and neuroprotective effects. Naltrexone is a safe and readily available generic medication. Dextromethorphan is also a safe and readily available generic medication that is available without a prescription as a cough medication. Results from several clinical trials showed that Naltrexone is effective in several inflammation-related diseases, such as neurogenic pain, movement disorders, etc. In addition, there were no obvious side effects in patients taking this drug for six months. This project is a randomized double-blinded studies for treating ill Gulf war veterans with Naltrexone and Dextromethorphan.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA593323

Entities

People

  • Allison Mainhart
  • Kori L. Brewer
  • William J. Meggs

Organizations

  • East Carolina University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical Research
  • Central Nervous System
  • Clinical Trials
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Drug Abuse
  • Electronic Mail
  • Environmental Health
  • Inflammation
  • Information Operations
  • Laboratory Tests
  • Movement Disorders
  • Nervous System
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome
  • Side Effects

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Gulf War Illness and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans.
  • Neurotoxicology