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 pa rticipate in a number of pathophysiological responses to brain injury. This provides the rationale for the use of opioid antagonists for the enhanceme nt 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 in jury. Three months of intensive rehabilitative therapies did not change his functional status. A trial of naltrexone was given while his performance i n mobility, speech and overall Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were monitored. Results indicate an accelerated improvement in functional status and statistically improved FIM score.