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Hi Ann and List: I think my last major post on the subject was last October. At least that's the latest I find in my file cabinet. I am sending a copy of it below. First an update. My initial symptoms when dx were tremors and micrographia to some degree or another. Sometimes I could write somewhat legibly and other times not. I is now almost 2 1/2 years later and I've spent a year of that in the Ganglioside study during which time I have had the real deal for at least the last six months and who knows what for the first six...maybe drug, maybe placebo. I am not otherwise passive about the disease. I take large doses of antioxidants and a large dose of CO Q10 daily. I am still active in my business life so my brain and body get exercised. Finally (knock wood), it would appear that the disease progresses slowly for me. So now 2 1/2 years later, I tremor slightly more, my handwriting is markedly improved, and starting with an initial prescription of Sinemet CR 50/200 b.i.d. I now take no Sinemet and have substituted Requip to control tremor. As we speak I am planing to titrate down on the Requip to see how far I can go without getting uncomfortable. Is it the Ganglioside? I don't know. I sure don't intend to stop taking it as long as they'll let me have it. Is it the concoction of vitamins and supplements (the list and quantities of which I would be glad to supply if anyone asks). Again I don't know but I'll keep taking them as long as I can afford to buy them. Should anyone try to join the study? My advice was 'what do you have to lose' even before the relaxation of the micrographia. I would certainly attempt to join if I could spare the time and afford the transportation. I have the study paper sent to all applicants and will share it as requested. I don't have a scanner so I can't get it on the list but I'll be glad o copy it and mail it or fax it to anyone who writes enclosing address and or fax number. So, hopefully when I now hit "paste" the old posting will appear below. If it doesn't, I will send this anyway and retype the old posting tomorrow. Too late tonight. Paul H. Lauer (hitting 'paste') I am enrolled in a Phase 111 Clinical Trial of the above referenced drug which if effective, could prove to be neuroprotective against Parkinson's disease as well as effective in 'rescuing' injured dopamine nerve cells and promoting their survival. The study is still recruiting volunteers to participate from their home with scheduled visits to the study office in Philadelphia. I am from Norwalk, CT. and Have met people enrolled from 'Florida, California and Louisiana. Aside from two, in-person evaluations, applicants must have been on a stable meds regime for three months prior to evaluation and remain on an unchanged regime for the first six months of the study. The study is double blind, placebo controlled, with patients to receive the actual drug randomly chosen. The initial period is 6 months and those electing to continue thereafter are guaranteed to receive 2 years of the real (not placebo) drug. Two consecutive years if the first 6 months were placebo and another year and a half if the first six months were actual drug. Evaluation is threefold. Each participant self evaluates on each visit to Philadelphia; Similarly, two Drs'. conducting the study perform evaluations on each visit; and every six months, a SPECT scan is read. In simple lay terms (all I'm capable of), this machine counts the neurons in the brain so once a baseline is established, the results of these tests should indicate disease progress or lack thereof. I believe this SPECT scan is also under test simultaneous with the drug test. So if anyone's appetite is whetted, call the study administrators (excuse me ladies if I have your titles wrong) Stephanie Ferraro and Judy Hillman at 215-955-8700. The study is being run by Jay S. Schneider, Ph.D., Professor Depts. of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Neurology at Thomas Jefferson University Paul H. Lauer ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn