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Hi Genene, Charles and All, The studies are on the Internet... In vivo evaluation in mice and metabolism in blood of human volunteers of [123I]iodo-PK11195: a possible single-photon emission tomography tracer for visualization of inflammation Eur J Nucl Med 26 (1999) 3, 194-200 http://link.springer.de/link/service/journals/00259/bibs/9026003/90260194.htm On 9 Oct 2000, at 22:03, Charles Williams wrote: > Genene > > I am early stage PD or MSA and therefore I took part in a research scan that > is apparently based on suggestions arising out of recent research that the > loss of brain cells seen in Parkinsonian disorders is accompanied by > inflammation and that this may contribute to the progression of the disease. > As I said before, the literature describing the scans states that if this is > the case, anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin might help in the future > to protect patients with Parkinson's diseases and related disorders. > > At the MRC Cyclotron Unit of a London hospital, using PET scanning with a > radiotracer called PK11195, researchers detect the presence of brain > inflammation. They have learned what patterns of inflammation are typical > for PD and MSA, and on this basis they can say what appears more or less > likely; also PD gives a weaker signal, MSA a stronger one. The researchers > might be annoyed at me putting it in these terms, as it's all couched in > statistical-speak and is very complex, but that's how I understand it. The > extent of inflammation is likely to have major prognostic implications as it > will reflect disease severity, and in future will act as a guide as to > whether anti-inflammatory and other protective treatments are effective. It > must be borne in mind that the scans are experimental, and the objective of > the project is to determine how useful the tool is. Also, not enough brains > have been scanned yet - especially healthy ones - to give a sound > statistical basis for comparison. So don't rush off and overdose on > aspirin/ibuprofen just yet. > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Genene Hill <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> > Date: 08 October 2000 19:38 > Subject: Re: Ibuprofen v Parkinson's > > > Charles, > > Can you tell us what specifically was studied and the results of the study? > > > > on 10/8/00 8:33 AM, Charles Williams at [log in to unmask] > wrote: > > > I have heard this theory too, in UK. In fact I took part in research on > > scans that is based on the idea that MSA and PD are associated with > > inflammation, which may contribute to progression. Documentation mentioned > > the possibility of anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin being used for > > treatment. > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: William P. Taggart <[log in to unmask]> > > To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> > > Date: 08 October 2000 11:36 > > Subject: Ibuprofen v Parkinson's > > > > > > Ibuprofen may reduce the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's <<...>> > > > > > > Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen > > have been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the > > underlying mechanisms of action are unknown. However, Casper and > colleagues > > have recently found that NSAIDs protect neurones from glutamate toxicity > in > > vitro - glutamate toxicity has been implicated in AD, Parkinson's disease > > (PD), and other diseases. > > Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen were all found to attenuate the > > reduction in dopamine uptake caused by glutamate on cultured primary rat > > embryonic neurones taken from the mesencephalon area of the brain, > > indicating preservation of neuronal integrity. Furthermore, ibuprofen > 100µm > > protected both dopaminergic neurones and neurones generally, against > > glutamate toxicity. In addition, of the drugs tested, only ibuprofen > > increased the relative number of dopaminergic neurons - by 47%. > > The authors concluded that NSAIDs deserve further consideration as > > neuroprotective agents in PD. > > Source: Casper D et al. Neuroscience Letters 2000;289(3):201-204. Updated > > September 2000. > > [log in to unmask]