Glasgow LDN Conference 2009

Prof Jill Smith has announced the start of a new study into the use of LDN in children with Crohn’s disease. The success of the pilot study in Crohn’s where 60% of patients went into remission and 80% reported improved symptoms has inspired the team at Penn State University to apply successfully for funding for full studies in this disease. The trial is now recruiting patients and will be completed by July 2010. It is hoped that Prof Smith will be persuaded to present some preliminary data at the second European LDN conference in Glasgow in 2010.

The proposed trial into the use of LDN in Multiple Sclerosis is making progress. We have passed the second round of peer comment from outside experts and have now been invited to submit a full application to the Chief Scientists Office. This is a very positive step and indicates that the trial is viewed as being viable. We have several other hurdles to cross including gaining approval from the MHRA and ethics but things are well on there way and hopefully we will have secured funding by the time the conference takes place in April.

I am delighted to report that the Chief Scientists Office in Scotland have requested that we apply now for full funding of our MS trial. This has taken almost one year to get to this stage as the process is slow and involves two sets of opinions from six external experts but we are getting there. This is virtually the green light for the trial and we will get the application processed as soon as possible. I am hopeful that we will begin the study before the conference in April and be able to report the findings in our second conference next year.

David Gluck has commented by e mail that three months might not be long enough to properly evaluate the impact of LDN on Psoriasis as it is one of the most difficult conditions to treat. My limited clinical experience would confirm the cyclical nature of the condition which seems to be very sensitive to changes in the immune system. Stress or alcohol could have a marked effect and prevent the full effect of LDN from being expressed. I plan to review the trial at the three month point and if we do not have significant changes we will consider extending it. We have recruited four of the ten target patients and will give a push in the new year for the remaining six cases.

The first LDN psoriasis pilot started in Glasgow yesterday. The plan is to recruit ten subjects who will receive LDN for three months. The first two patients were inducted into the trial at The Essential Health Clinic in Glasgow on the 10th December. It is hoped that the trial will be completed in time to be presented at the Conference in April in Glasgow. There are almost 1million psoriasis sufferers in the UK and 125 million worldwide. Although there are now some very effective treatments for severe psoriasis, the vast majority of patients do not qualify for this sometimes toxic treatment. There is a clear gap in the treatment provision for a non toxic oral treatment which could be LDN.