(The following is taken from Dr. Iacono's "Victory" website about
pallidotomy -)


 James B. Slater, Ph.D., is Director of Nuclear Pharmacology for the
Loma Linda UniversiTy
> Medical Center. Among his other assignments, he oversees the generation of brain scans by the
> SPECT system.
>
> Similar in some ways to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, the SPECT system is brand
> new technology that has been available for less than a year. A coordinated set of three scintillation
> cameras scan the patients brain. A computer quickly converts all of the camera data into brain
> cross-section video pictures that show viable tissue, and different colors can be assigned to show
> different levels of demand for nourishment (blood) within the brain so the metabolic activity level of
> different regions of the brain can be quantified.
>
> Dr. Slater is working with Dr. Iacono as they make new discoveries about PD by means of the
> SPECT scanner. "Results of the scan are showing us that Parkinson's patients have a greatly
> reduced flow of blood to the brain before receiving a pallidotomy," states Dr. Slater. "As soon as
> the morning after surgery, scans show a greatly increased flow of blood to the brain tissue. We
> observe dramatic improvement in frontal lobe function by increased blood flow and metabolism;
> possibly impacting depression, motivation and the higher human attributes. We have been doing this
> test for several months now, and follow-up testing shows that circulation continues to improve as
> time passes."
>
> Dr. Iacono is guarded about drawing conclusions too soon, but conjectures that stopping the
> hyperactive phenomena in the Parkinson's brain may allow circulation to return to normal. While
> there may be no new brain cells available, he postulates that there are probably some number of
> neurons that have been suppressed, not working very hard, that could be pressed into more
> vigorous service, thus improving the mental and physical functioning of the patient. Dr. Iacono and
> Dr. Slater believe that as they are able to compile more data, SPECT will help them come closer to
> knowing what causes PD and how symptoms can be fully alleviated.
>
> Dr. Iacono's most recent advance is the insertion of an electrical deep brain stimulator into the
> globus pallidus, connected to a pacemaker type of device implanted in the patients side. The FDA
> approval allows Dr. Iacono to install one a month over the next year on an experimental basis. The
> first patient to receive the stimulator was Carolyn Wilson of San Diego. Ms Wilson had come to a
> point of complete dysfunction. A month after receiving the stimulator, all of her symptoms were
> gone, except for a small tic in her shoulder and neck. After two months, even that was gone, and
> she reports that her mental and physical states continue to improve even more as time passes.
>
> Dr. Iacono says, "We are surprised to find that the stimulation not only removes adverse
> symptoms, but seems to bring about rededication of dormant brain cells, which would explain a
> continuing improvement.

(From: Janet) Re: Theories/Causes of PD

I thought this was very interesting especially regarding

(1) Reduced blood supply to brain in PD & symptoms alleviating when
adequate blood supply is restored.

(2)  "Dormant" brain cells  coming to life w/adequate blood supply.

Someone like to explain/comment ??
How does this fit w/lamebrain/degenerative/dead brain cell theory?

Thanks,
Janet
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