Naltrexone: effects on motor function, speech, and activities of daily living in a patient with traumatic brain injury.
Evidence from many studies has suggested that endogenous opioid peptides participate in a number of pathophysiological responses to brain injury. This provides the rationale for the use of opioid antagonists for the enhancement of neural recovery after brain injury. A case is presented of an 18-year-old male who had loss of consciousness for 1 month after a severe brain injury. Three months of intensive rehabilitative therapies did not change his functional status. A trial of naltrexone was given while his performance in mobility, speech and overall Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were monitored. Results indicate an accelerated improvement in functional status and statistically improved FIM score.
Calvanio
R
R
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Burke
D T
DT
Kim
H J
HJ
Cheng
J
J
Lepak
P
P
Leonard
J
J
Dwyer
M A
MA
Gavande
V
V
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects*; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011379:Prognosis; D013060:Speech / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000209:etiology
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone