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Page 1 of 2 Reviews of selected abstracts from AmNeurAssn 125, October 2000; in Ann Neur; September 2000: These preliminary presentations may or may not reach peer-reviewed publication in an archival journal. Zhang Y et al: Familial-linked mutations of the protein parkin are thought to impair its function as an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase and its indirect effect upon alpha-synuclein, suggesting that they cause familial autosomal-recessive parkinsonism. Schulz G et al: Combination of a caspase inhibitor (XIAP) that prevents neural apoptosis and glial-cell-derived neurotrophic growth factor (GDNF) has synergistic effect of protection against MPTP-induced parkinsonism, may be promising strategy for treatment of PD. Adler C et al: Perceived balance ability in PD patients isn't always the same as the actual measure. Study of 37 subjects showed that those in fluctuating stage have more problems, and optimists more likely to fall. Ascherio A et al: Using data from a large (136,000 subjects) health study, they found moderate (1-3 cups/day) coffee intake associated with lowered incidence of PD. Joyce J et al: To explain the loss of clinical response to anti-PD (dopaminergic) drugs in later stages of PD, they studied postmortem samples of patients who had or had not lost that response. The failure correlated less well with D2 receptor (motor function) impairment than with that of D3 receptors, which are thought to play a role in motivation, mood, and activity. Kim S et al: They produced several lines of immortalized multipotent human neural stem cells, one of which had dramatic success when implanted in rats with drug-induced parkinsonism. Kompoliti K et al: Ovariectomy in healthy monkeys resulted in enhanced dopaminergic function. Kujawa K et al: They tested 15 PD patients and 7 with MSA, for autonomic disfunction and orthostatic instability, with similar results in the two groups. Martin W et al: By means of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) they studied 5 PD patients and 10 controls, finding that in PD energy metabolism is impaired throughout the brain. Shulman L et al: They studied 245 elderly PD patients for tolerance of dopamine agonists, finding that age alone should not be the deciding factor in choice of treatment. AmNeurA125.doc Page 2 of 2 Stacy M et al: They compared results in 12 PD recipients of deep-brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) against those in 12 who declined in favor of levodopa therapy. Despite significant differences within both groups, the DBS group on the whole did better. Terakawa H et al: Using magnetic resonance spectroscoy (MRS) they studied metabolites in the basal ganglia of 30 PD patients and 70 healthy controls, finding age-related decline in both groups but no special difference between them. Connor G: A 22-week crossover study in 24 essential tremor patients of topiramate (Topamax) suggests that it may be effective treatment for ET. McRae C et al: A 12-month followup in a double-blind trial of 20 PD patients getting neural transplants and 20 getting sham surgery was too early to reveal significant differences in perceived quality of life. Parkinson Study Group: The type B monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) inhibitor rasagiline is expected to be neuroprotective like selegiline (Eldepryl), but doesn't metabolize to unwanted amphetamines. A controlled trial in 404 early-PD patients showed it to be beneficial and well-tolerated. Palmer C et al: Using existing data and other sources, and a mathematical assessment model, they determined that adjunctive PD therapy with the COMT antagonist entacapone (Comtan) is cost-effective in terms of quality of life. -- J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013