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Melatonin treatment improves primary progressive multiple sclerosis: a case report
Author(s) -
LópezGonzález Antonio,
ÁlvarezSánchez Nuria,
Lardone Patricia J.,
CruzChamorro Ivan,
MartínezLópez Alicia,
Guerrero Juan M.,
Reiter Russel J.,
CarrilloVico Antonio
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of pineal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1600-079X
pISSN - 0742-3098
DOI - 10.1111/jpi.12203
Subject(s) - melatonin , medicine , crutch , expanded disability status scale , physical therapy , multiple sclerosis , physical medicine and rehabilitation , pediatrics , structural engineering , psychiatry , engineering
We describe the case of a female patient who, at the age of 28, was diagnosed with symptoms of primary progressive multiple sclerosis ( PPMS ). Glucocorticoid treatment was immediately initiated. The disease and the demyelinating lesions progressed during the following 9 years reaching Expanded Disability Status Scale ( EDSS ) 8.0 (patient essentially restricted to bed, a chair or perambulated in a wheelchair). At this point, the patient began taking melatonin at doses ranging from 50 to 300 mg per day. Melatonin was her only treatment for the next 4 years; during this interval, her EDSS progressively recovered to 6.0 (the person needs intermittent or unilateral constant assistance such as cane, crutch, or brace to walk 100 meters with or without resting). This long‐lasting improvement is likely due to melatonin usage since it is related in time and because of its exceptionally long duration.