Hi this is Audrey, a non pwp but a good friend of one in Australia.  I would
like to express to all of you how amazing you are.  ( this is a most
overused word, but for lack of a better adjective I use it)  How many well
people bemoan a headache.  I dont mean to gush I am in awe.  I learn what
courage is every day from you all and especially the guy I have in Oz.



----- Original Message -----
From: Phil E.Gesotti <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 3:08 PM
Subject: Re: symptoms of PD and Alzheimers


> There are a number of factors which contribute to the variability of PD
> symptoms and progression of the disease..
>
> One is that neurologist don't have a diagnostic test for PD. They are
> forced into a process of elimination of other ailments which could be
> causing the symptoms.
>
> The second is that PD is normally associated with the death of
> dopaminergic cells in the Substantia Nigra. However, I once saw a
> statistic that as high as 25% of the people who exhibit PD symptoms
> don't have degeneration in the Substantia Nigra. If you look at the
> interconnection of the Substantia Nigra with parts of the Basil Ganglia
> you can speculate that a failure of the dopamine receptors in these
> areas could cause similar symptoms.
>
> Third, the Substantia Nigra has axons that terminate in the Pallidus,
> Thalamus and STN of the Basil Ganglia. Each of these areas has a
> different effect on motor control. This is the reason a Pallidotomy is
> done for dystonia and a Thalladotomy is done for tremor.
>
> Fourth, PD symptoms do not appear until approximately 60%-70% of
> Substantia Nigra cell loss has been realized. Since we can't tell when
> the cell loss began, it is difficult to predict at what rate the disease
> is progressing.
>
> Fifth, the origin of this cell loss is unknown. In some people, it may
> be genetic. In some it may be environmental. In some it may be genetic
> sensitivity to the environment. Since we don't know the origin, it is
> possible that a common degeneration mechanism is at work that attacks
> the weakest area in the brain. In our PD brain, the weak link may be the
> Substantia Nigra.
>
> Sixth, the risks for developing dementia are 10% for young onset and 30%
> for diagnosis at 70, per statistics presented at a symposium I attended
> last year. Is this caused by the same mechanism as Alzheimers? Only time
> will tell.
>
> These are some cold hard facts and some speculation, but we should use
> this data to plan for the future. We can get depressed and spend every
> day wringing our hands or we can get out there and live each day to it's
> fullest.
>
> I came to the same conclusion that Micheal J. Fox did. I can use my
> intellect and abilities now to do my part in finding a cure or
> treatments to improve my quality of life in the future. MJ, myself and a
> large portion of this list are in a very productive phase of our lives.
> We don't know how quickly things will deteriorate, but we know they
> won't get better. The time is now to make it happen!
>
> Phil Gesotti 50/46+
>