Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) for the treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

About This Grant

In this UG3/UH3 Exploratory Clinical Trial, we will test low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a treatment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). ME/CFS affects approximately 1 million people in the United States, with incidence rates increasing with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. ME/CFS is characterized by profound fatigue, cognitive issues, pain sensitivity, and post-exertional malaise (PEM). Several studies support the hypothesis that ME/CFS involves chronic inflammatory activity in the central nervous system (CNS) that is driven by hyperactive microglia. More than 35 years since recognizing ME/CFS as a distinct medical condition, there is still no FDA-approved medications and no consensus on optimal treatment of the disorder. There is an urgent need to identify treatments that are safe and effective in reducing the severity of ME/CFS. Low dose naltrexone (LDN) involves daily doses of naltrexone in the 0.5mg to 6.0mg range. LDN crosses the blood-brain barrier, pushes microglia from an inflammatory to a resting state, and reduces the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the brain. LDN reduces fatigue severity in conditions such as ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and Long-COVID. LDN is an ideal first treatment for ME/CFS because it is generically available, inexpensive, safe, and well-tolerated. LDN also has no abuse potential. In this Phase II trial, several questions will be answered to optimize a future Phase III efficacy trial of LDN for ME/CFS. This trial uses a remote design where individuals can enroll from anywhere in the United States and can complete all study tasks from their home. This approach allows individuals who are homebound or bedbound to participate in the clinical trial. Study 1 is a dose-finding study where 75 ME/CFS participants will receive LDN at 1.5mg/day, 3.0mg/day, 4.5mg/day, and 6.0mg/day for 2 months each, in blinded order. This study will be used to determine the best dose of LDN to be used in future trials. Study 2 is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in 150 individuals with ME/CFS. Participants will be randomized to receive LDN or placebo. This study will be used to test safety and tolerability, determine the likely side-effects, determine the best measure to use as a primary outcome, identify predictors of a positive LDN response, and preliminarily measure the strength of the LDN effect. A subgroup of participants (25 LDN and 25 placebo) will be recruited close to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to complete advanced neuroimaging and blood tests of neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and oxidate stress. These tests may yield biomarkers of LDN response for predicting who is a good LDN candidate, or for tracking improvement with the treatment. Neuroimaging will focus on brain lactate and temperature, two measures of brain inflammation. Study 3 is an extended-duration study where participants may be switched between placebo and LDN, in order to collect additional safety, tolerability, efficacy, and durability information. Ultimately, we hope this study will lead to the first widely accepted pharmaceutical treatment for ME/CFS.