CURRENT SCIENCE REVIEWS  By Joe Bruman   March 1999  Page 1 of 4

Munoz E et al; Neur 1999;52:297-301:
Following a report (CSR FEB 98) of a mutant gene in a cohort of
Japanese PD patients, they looked for it in a group of 71 Spanish
patients, without success.

Kuopio A et al; Neur 1999;52:302-308:
In a 1992 repeat of a 1971 community-based survey of PD incidence
in southwestern Finland, they found significant preponderance of
males and rural residents not seen earlier, leading to suggestion
of a possible new environmental factor.

Vanacore N et al; Neur 1999;52:395-398:
A large population-based study of mortality from all types of
cancer among PD patients in the area of Rome, Italy, showed
significantly lower risk in the PD group, not fully explained by
the negative correlation of smoking and PD.

Bohnen N et al; Neur 1999;52:541-546:
Dopaminergic cells in the retina, as well as the substantia
nigra, degenerate in PD, accounting for loss of contrast and
color perception, and glucose metabolism in the primary visual
cortex is reduced. From PET scans of a group of non-demented PD
patients, they conclude that the reduction is mediated by
degeneration of the SN/basal ganglia and not the retina.

Papadimitriou A et al; Neur 1999;52:651-654:
Seeking the genetic link to PD, workers have found a common
mutant of the alpha-synuclein gene in the large Contursi kindred
of autosomal-dominant PD, as well as in 3 unrelated Greek
families, but not in several other sample groups around the
world. Authors here present 2 more Greek PD clusters having the
mutant gene, and including asymptomatic carriers older than the
expected age at onset.

Gelb D et al; Arch Neur 1999:56:33-39:
Diagnosis of PD by clinical signs is difficult, because none is
exclusive of other neurodegenerative disease. But they propose
a rather elaborate set of combinations variously indicative of
Possible, Probable, or Definite PD, that they think will provide
a means of objective discrimination. The "Definite" category
still would require postmortem examination.

Hanna P et al; Arch Neur 1999;56:90-94:
Environmental toxins long suspected as agents of PD are even more
likely in multiple system atrophy (MSA), a sporadic disease.

Winikates J, Jankovic J; Arch Neur 1999;56:98-102
Based on differences in clinical features among 346 parkinsonian
patients, they propose a new class called vascular parkinsonism,
related to cerebrovascular disease and distinct from idiopathic
Parkinson's disease.

Hauser R et al; Arch Neur 1999;66:179-187:
In follow-up as long as 26 months of 6 recipients, fetal nigral
cell bilateral transplants into the postcommissural putamen were
observed by PET scan to have thrived and by clinical study to
have brought lasting improvement of PD symptoms.

CURRENT SCIENCE REVIEWS  By Joe Bruman  March 1999   Page 2 of 4

Hardie R, Morrish M; Jour Neur N'surg Psych 1999;66:
Letters discussing earlier article (CSR MAY 98) about use of
PET scan to measure rate of PD progression and estimate the
preclinical period.

Le W-D et al; Arch Neur 1999;66:194-200:
In a blind controlled lab study, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of
patients with PD was toxic to dopaminergic cells. The CSF also
contained elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but
that was not the toxic agent.

Kondziolka D et al; J Neurosurg 1999;90:197-202:
They evaluated 58 advanced PD patients who received MRI-guided
pallidotomy with macrostimulation, finding minimal morbidity and
generally dramatic relief of off-period symptoms, but no help in
on-period symptoms other than dyskinesia.

Graham J, Sagar H; Mov Disord 1999;14:10-20:
Formal analysis of data from 176 IPD patients suggests three
apparently distinct subtypes of idopathic PD: "motor only" (no
cognitive impairment), "motor and cognitive" (executive function
deficit), and "rapid progression" (older at onset).

Anderson C et al; Mov Disord 1999;14:21-27:
Questioning a large sample of PD patients and controls, they
found PD patients more likely to have higher intake of foods
containing animal fat or vitamin D, or of vitamin A supplements.

Fall P et al; Mov Disord 1999;14:28-37:
A large case-control study in southeastern Sweden showed that
many foods and drinks containing niacin, as well as smoking,
reduced the risk of PD, and that pesticides increased the risk.

Tolcapone Study Group; Mov Disord 1999;14:38-44:
In a random trial of tolcapone vs. bromocriptine in 146 PD
patients taking levodopa, the tolcapone group had more muscle
cramps and dystonia, while the bromocriptine group had more
hallucinations, orthostatic hypotension, and nausea.

Merello M et al; Mov Disord 1999;14:45-49:
Taking advantage of microelectrode recording during
posteroventral pallidotomy of 9 PD patients, they found that
a test dose of apomorphine reduced spontaneous activity of the
internal globus pallidus (GPi), suggesting possible new therapy.

Merello M et al; Mov Disord 1999;14:50-56:
A randomized comparison of radiofrequency lesion (pallidotomy)
vs. electrostimulation (DBS) of the posteroventral pallidum in
13 PD patients after 3 months showed better hand tapping in the
DBS group and more improvement of dyskinesia in the PVP group,
but generally equal benefit and safety of both procedures.

Jankovic J et al; Mov Disord 1999;14:57-62:
Careful testing of movement and coordination in 41 recipients
of GPi pallidotomy showed improvement in bradykinesia.

CURRENT SCIENCE REVIEWS  By Joe Bruman  March 1999  Page 3 of 4

Cunnington R et al; Mov Disord 1999;14:63-68:
Measurement [by scalp electrodes] of evoked motion-related
potential of PD patients during "freezing" episodes confirmed
that training the subject to concentrate on the movement
beforehand provided benefit similar to that of visual cues.

Gentilucci M, Negrotti A; Mov Disord 1999;14:69-79:
Study of planning and executing a standardized action in PD
patients showed that the basal ganglia are involved in both
functions.

Shaunak S et al; Mov Disord 1199;14:80-86:
Controlled testing of the effects of delay in remembered
saccades (eye movements) showed that oculospatial working
memory is unimpaired in PD.

Pappert E et al; Mov Disord 1999;14:117-121:
In a surveyed group of PD outpatients, altered dream
phenomena were strongly associated with sleep fragmentation and
with hallucinations/illusions, but the latter two phenomena
were not associated.

Leopold N et al; Mov Disord 1999;14:122-127:
After a wasp sting, a man had mild parkinsonism for 6 months,
which then rapidly progressed to a severe akinetic-rigid
syndrome, unresponsive to standard antiparkinson medication.
MRI scanning showed marked destruction of the basal ganglia.
Reviews literature on extrapyramidal effects of such stings.

Lera G, Zirulnik J; Mov Disord 1999;14:128-131:
In 6 psychotic HIV (AIDS) patients who had developed
parkinsonism due to other neuroleptic drugs, clozapine was
effective, because apparently it doesn't block striatal
dopamine receptors.

Brashear A et al; Mov Disord 1999;14:132-137:
Comparing Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans of PD patients
with those of patients having rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism
(RDP) showed a distinct difference in affected dopamine sites.

Lancet, 6 February 1999:476 (news item):
Citing the animal origins of HIV and some Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease cases, the Council of Europe on 29 January called
for a Europe-wide moratorium on clinical xenotransplantation
[including pig cell neurotransplants for PD] trials, until
safety can be absolutely guaranteed.

Lancet, 13 February 1999;466 (editorial):
Citing presentations at a recent symposium, comments on "brisk"
progress of PD research. It's hoped that in current Phase III
trials the glutamate inhibitor riluzole will slow progression
of PD. Inclusion of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as a site for
deep-brain stimulation shows great promise. A continuous-delivery
scheme for apomorphine may avoid the dyskinesia problems of
levodopa. And recent twin studies confirm that heredity is an
important factor only in early (age < 50)-onset PD.

CURRENT SCIENCE REVIEWS  By Joe Bruman  March 1999  Page 4 of 4

Schapira A; BMJ 1999;318:311-314:
Comprehensive review of current status and prospects for PD
research. PD prevalence is about 20/100,000, second after AD
with 150/100,000. PD causes substantial morbidity and shortens
life span. It's probably not one but several closely related
diseases, with increasing evidence for a genetic component,
most likely in early-onset cases. Modifying use of already
available drugs will improve symptom control. New drugs acting
on non-dopaminergic transmitter systems are expected, as well
as neurorescue and neuroprotective drugs. Apoptosis, oxidative
stress by free radicals, mitochondrial complex I, and glutamate
toxicity are discussed.

Lieb K et al; Brain 1999;122:303-313:
Study of 16 PD patients and 16 controls showed impairment of
preattentive cortical visual processing in PD.

Limousin P et al; Brain 1999;122:315-327:
Study of 27 PD patients given standardized tasks provides
detailed data on effects of posteroventral pallidotomy on
preparation of voluntary movements in PD.

Ondo W et al; Clin Neuropharm 1999;22:1-4:
In a trial on 10 fluctuating PD patients, a new sublingual
preparation of the quick-acting dopamine agonist apomorphine was,
except for the bitter taste, as tolerable as and slightly more
effective than optimally-dosed carbidopa/levodopa.

Tison F et al; Clin Neuropharm 1999;22:5-10:
A survey of 352 subjects in 42 long-term care institutions
showed that neuroleptic drug use in institutionalized old
people is associated with a high risk for parkinsonism.

Andrea N et al; Clin Neuropharm 1999;22:15-23:
A controlled trial comparison of L-dopa/benserazide, triazolam,
and placebo showed that L-dopa in acute dose sedates L-dopa-naive
subjects.

Napolitano A et al; Clin Neuropharm 1999;22:24-29:
A 6-week trial in 7 fluctuating PD patients confirmed that
tolcapone slows L-dopa clearance and prolongs beneficial motor
symptom response as a sustained effect.

Evidente V et al; Clin Neuropharm 1999;22:30-32:
In a pilot open-label trial on 14 PD patients rimantadine, the
alpha-methyl derivative of amantadine, had some beneficial effect
on motor symptoms, especially on rigidity.

Manyam B et al; Clin Neuropharm 1999;22:33-39:
A trial with 6-month follow-up on 52 PD patients confirmed that
changing from regular Sinemet to Sinemet CR using a formula (not
given in abstract) for dosage conversion permits less frequent
dosage with no loss of efficacy.

Giladi N et al; Clin Neuropharm 1999;22:54-59:
PD impairs visual motor control (VMC) of arm movements. In a 14-
subject trial, selegiline (Deprenyl) didn't affect velocity but
did improve directional control in a dose-related manner.
--
J. R. Bruman   (818) 789-3694
3527 Cody Road
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013