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CURRENT SCIENCE REVIEWS By Joe Bruman November 2000 P.1 of 3 Farrison P; Lancet, 16 September 2000, 958-959 (editorial): Dopamine functioning is altered in schizophrenia as well as in PD, but in a different set of brain neural pathways. Recent PET and SPECT studies help to confirm that, but many details and questions remain to be investigated further. Fishman J; Lancet, 23 September 2000:717-718 (editorial) Summarizing current knowledge about risks of infecting human recipients with a porcine endogenous retrovirus via xenotrans- plantation, concludes the safety issue not yet finally proven either way. Griffiths P; Lancet, 23 September 2000:1049-1050: Describes some of the more obscure possible risks, and preventive measures, in pig-to-human tissue transpants. Portin R et al; Arch Neur 2000;57:1338-1343: To clarify whether semantic knowledge (e.g., naming, verbal fluency, concept meaning) impairment is part of the cognitive decline that is common in PD, authors compared 3 subject groups and conclude that it is. Pezzoli G et al; Neur 2000;55:667-673: Case-control record study of 990 PD patients presenting at a referral center showed moderate statistical bias toward earlier onset and greater severity in those PD patients whose occupation involved long and heavy exposure to hydrocarbon solvents. Houeto J et al; Neur 2000;55:728-730: Their center implanted bilateral deep-brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of 40 PD patients, and in the internal globus pallidus (GPi) of 5 others. Four of the GPi group failed to get long-term relief of PD disability, but later implantation of DBS electrodes in the STN of two who requested it was successful. Goetz C et al; Neur 2000;55:789-794: In a randomized double-blind comparison of the "atypical" antipsychotics olanzapine (Zyprexa) and clozapine (Clozaril) given to 15 hallucinating PD patients, olanzapine aggravated parkinsonian motor impairment compared with clozapine, and authors recommend against its use in PD. Manson A et al; Neur 2000;55:795-799: In a randomized controlled trial in PD patients, olanzapine (Zyprexa) effectively reduced levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LID) but caused unacceptable increases in parkinsonism and 'off' time. CURRENT SCIENCE REVIEWS By Joe Bruman November 2000 P. 2 of 3 Richard I, Nutt J; Neur 2000;55:748-749(editorial): Clozapine (Clozaril) reduces psychosis in PD without aggravating motor disability as do "typical" neuroleptics, but requires periodic monitoring for a rare but dangerous side effect. [So researchers are looking for a substitute among the other "atypical" antipsychotics, but so far wihout success- JB] Broussolle E et al; Neur 2000;55:877-879: By means of positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging the authors were able distinguish cases of juvenile-onset PD resulting from 'parkin' gene mutations from cases of the more common idiopathic (not genetic) PD, demonstrating that the two variants may be clinically similar but etiologically different. Muller J et al; Neur 2000;55:888-891: A clinicopathologic study to compare rates of progression (in Hoehn-Yahr stages) of idiopathic PD against that of atypical (MSA, PSP, DLB, etc.) parkinsonian disorders. Fernandez H et al; Neur 2000;55:899 (letters): Debate over value of the atypical neuroleptic quetiapine (Seroquel) as substitute for clozapine (Clozaril). (See items cited above). Pittock S et al; Neur 2000;55:991-995: They found and examined affected members of a new kindred having rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism, an autosomal dominant disorder that is distantly related to PD. Thobois S et al; Neur 2000;55:996-1002: A voluntary movement normally is first rehearsed by "imagery" of that movement in the brain. By means of positron-emission tomography (PET) scans they studied that motor imagery activation pattern, already known to be abnormal in persons having PD. Science News, 21 October 2000:269 (news item): Benefits of nerve cell transplants may extend to more than just PD patients- first trials of similar technique on stroke victims with movement impairment were successful. [May eventually increase demand and support for stem cell research- JB] Costa-Mallen P et al; J Neur N'surg Psych 2000;69:535-537: They studied relation of smoking to PD in 152 patients and 231 healthy controls, finding that genetic polymorphisisms of dopamine D2 receptors (DRD2) may be susceptibility factors in that observed inverse relationship. Cantello R; J Neur N'surg Psych 2000;69:566-567(letter): The effect of dopaminergic medication upon mood swings in fluctuating PD. CURRENT SCIENCE REVIEWS By Joe Bruman November 2000 P. 3 of 3 Jacobs H et al; J Neur N'surg Psych 2000;69:550-552: Interview community study of 121 PD patients and 126 healthy controls showed that depression and unemployment contribute to less satisfying sex life of younger patients. Lewis G et al; Brain 2000;123:2077-2090: Detailed physical measurement of gait and stride of PD patients shows the beneficial effect of visual cues that substitute for kinesthetic ones. Saint-Cyr J et al; Brain 2000;123:2091-2108: Followup study of 11 PD recipients of bilateral deep-brain stimulation (DBS) implants in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) revealed negative impact on frontal executive (cognitive) function, which didn't recover over time. Roberts-Warrior D et al; Brain 2000;123:2141-2149: Study of 27 recipients of unilateral posterventral pallidotomy showed that postural instability, usually resistant to levodopa therapy, was improved along with other motor impairments of PD. Kujawa K et al; Arch Neur 2000;57:1461-1463: Ten out of 29 consecutive subjects interviewed after starting dopamine agonist therapy for PD had acute orthostatic hypotension but weren't always aware of it. Ondo W et al; Arch Neur 2000;57:1464-1469: In study of 20 patients with PD, 20 with PSP, and 20 healthy controls, computerized posturography testing and analysis reliably distinguished early PSP from the other groups. -- J. R. 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