---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001 18:04:21 EST Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Ed Grskovich <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Neotrofin Status Report MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Lucky Mice! ------------------- NeoTherapeutics' Neotrofin(TM) Stimulates Proliferation Of Neural Stem Cells in Adult Mice Data on proliferation of neural stem cells after a single dose of Neotrofin presented at 31st Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoTherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: <A HREF="aol://4785:NEOT">NEOT</A>) presented data at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego showing the effects of Neotrofin(TM), the Company's lead neurology compound, on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. Data on proliferation confirmed previously reported preliminary studies and demonstrated that Neotrofin causes an increase in the number of neural stem cells in adult mice 24 hours after a single treatment. The Company also presented data from two studies on the fate of these new stem cells. One of these studies demonstrated a statistically significant increase in new neurons. "A single dose of Neotrofin reproducibly results in a statistically significant increase in the number of stem cells in the brains of adult mice," said Eve Taylor, Ph.D., Director of Biomolecular Pharmacology at NeoTherapeutics. "This effect has now been observed in three separate studies using state-of-the-art quantitative digital microscopy techniques. "We have now completed the analysis of two studies on differentiation of these new neural stem cells," added Dr. Taylor. "In the first study, we observed statistically significant increases in the number of new neurons six weeks after a single treatment with Neotrofin. Data from the second study did not show this effect. Overall, we are extremely encouraged by this data. Our top priority is to conduct additional studies to clarify the effects of Neotrofin on the fate of these new stem cells." "This presentation highlights critical data supporting one of Neotrofin's mechanisms of action, and builds on the study presented earlier this week showing that Neotrofin causes the release of neurotrophic factors," stated Alvin J. Glasky, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of NeoTherapeutics. "These neurotrophic factors have been shown by independent scientists to influence neural stem cells. We look forward to reporting the results of additional stem cell studies that are currently being analyzed." Neotrofin is an orally available drug that has been safely administered to over 1,300 patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury. Studies have shown that Neotrofin crosses the blood-brain barrier and stimulates the production of neurotrophic factors and the enzyme heme oxygenase 1. Neurotrophic factors have been shown to facilitate nerve function, protect nerve cells from damage due to toxins, injury and stress, to stimulate sprouting of neurons in response to injury and to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of brain stem cells. Heme oxygenase 1 has been shown to protect against oxidative stress, a key factor in neurodegeneration. Neotrofin is presently being tested in a pivotal clinical study of 521 patients with Alzheimer's disease, and in phase 2 studies in Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury. Phase 2 clinical studies in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy are scheduled to begin before the end of this year. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001 17:40:52 -0800 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: News & Views From The Overnight Newswire - Dec. 5th. 2001 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Good Morning All, Here's the overnight "News & Views".... from the media "Ali" is the news... and in my book... still "The Greatest"!! See Photos at: http://mas.scripps.com/DRMN/2001/12/05/1205oly_e.jpg http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/nm/20011205/bs/mdf95346.html Peggy m'dear, yer none too shabby 'neither!! see ('nuther nice photo) below... Cheers ........ murray NEWS: Coke, Muhammad Ali in Marketing Pact http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20011205/bs/food_cocacola_ali_dc_1.html NEWS: Ali lights Olympic torch in Atlanta http://news.24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0,1231,2-9-32_1117510,00.html NEWS: Flame on the Way, ('nuther nice photo) Ali, Corradini send Olympic torch onjorney to Salt Lake http://www.sltrib.com/12052001/utah/155318.htm NEWS: Carrying a torch for Games: Ali lights flame to begin relay http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/olympics/article/0,1299,DRMN_261_897872,00.html NEWS: 7 senators back cloning for research http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/2001/12/05/national/CLONE05.htm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001 21:28:11 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Jo Ann Coen <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Autumn - How Ironic MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Clay - That was an astounding poem,and I believe came straight from your heart. I truy wish you the very best. Jo Ann from Houston ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001 23:08:51 EST Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Kathleen Cochran <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Autumn - How Ironic - help! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Oh dear. I deleted Clay's poem before I read it. (I think it was sandwiched between "Viagra" and "Make Big $$$ at Home.") I would be ever so grateful if someone would forward it to me. Thanks, Kathleen ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001 22:14:31 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Terry Bowers <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Autumn - How Ironic - help! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear Kathleen, I think that spam was about making $$$ at home WITH VIAGRA!!! Terry ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathleen Cochran" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2001 10:08 PM Subject: Re: Autumn - How Ironic - help! : Oh dear. I deleted Clay's poem before I read it. (I think it was sandwiched : between "Viagra" and "Make Big $$$ at Home.") : : I would be ever so grateful if someone would forward it to me. : : Thanks, : Kathleen : : ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] : In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn : ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001 23:26:28 EST Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Autumn - How Ironic MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear Clay, your words have moved all of us deeply, I know. Sad, yes, but also so very beautiful and greatly appreciated because they acknowledge the truth of your and our conditions. Many, many thanks. Rayilyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001 21:05:39 -0800 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Clay Felts Poem: Autumn - How Ironic MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Clay Felts <[log in to unmask]> wrote and posted this poem... Autumn The days pass quickly but nights are long. I love deeply but passion wanes. I have time for my children but they are working. Wisdom has come but the memory has gone. My mother died but when I speak I hear her words. My father is gone but I have his hands. There is joy in small pleasures but it lives in a shadow There is more free time but my time grows shorter. Grandchildren are delightful but they live far away. I exercise often but I grow weaker. I take a lot of pills but my health deteriorates. I understand life but no one will listen. I cry often but I don't know why. I wish it could be redone but not done over again. The experience of life is shared but I walk into death alone. ...Clay Felts 12/01 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 03:07:36 -0800 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Carole Hercun <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Attention Caregivers In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Absolutely. Camilla, besides being a wonderful, supportive lady, is an encyclopedia of information. Carole --- Rayilyn Brown <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Carole, I am a PWP with no caregiver who is about to > become a "disabled" > caregiver for my mom, 87, who had a stroke this week. Do > you think this List > would be of help to me in my unusual situation? > [log in to unmask] > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 07:54:33 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: ROBERT A MARTONE <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Senate postpones cloning moratorium MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Tuesday, December 4, 2001 Senate refuses to impose moratorium on cloning Measure fails in part due to link with drilling bill New York Times News Service WASHINGTON — Despite entreaties from President Bush to ban any type of human cloning, either for reproduction or for research, the Senate on Monday refused to take up a Republican measure to impose a six-month moratorium on the technology. The measure was rushed to the Senate floor in response to an announcement last week by a Massachusetts biotechnology company that it had created the first cloned human embryos, not to make babies but to develop tissues for treating disease. All the embryos died, but the experiment revived the cloning controversy, which had been dormant since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The bill failed overwhelmingly on a procedural motion, in part because it was bundled with another contentious but unrelated measure that would have allowed oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Republican leaders had hoped to force a vote on the issues by packaging them into an amendment to an unrelated bill governing retirement benefits for railroad workers. The strategy failed when the maneuvering became so complicated that even its supporters ended up voting against it for various reasons. Of 95 senators present, 94 voted to prevent the oil drilling and cloning bills from coming up for a vote. The lone exception was Sen. George Allen, R-Va. The Republican leader, Trent Lott of Mississippi, vowed during the debate to bring both bills up again. "These issues are not going to go away," he warned. It now appears unlikely that the Senate will enact cloning legislation this year. But the issue is expected to come up next year, and already the Senate has scheduled hearings on cloning. The first is set for Tuesday; Mike West, president of Advanced Cell Technology, the Massachusetts biotechnology company that conducted the recent cloning experiment, is scheduled to be the lead witness. The cloning bill would have put into place, for six months, legislation identical with a bill adopted by the House of Representatives in July. The House measure, which Bush supports, would ban cloning for either reproduction or research, and would outlaw the sale of treatments developed from cloning. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., the Senate's leading opponent of cloning, argued that the moratorium should be put in place while the Senate debated a permanent ban. He called it "a very modest step." There is widespread agreement among lawmakers that human cloning — the making of babies that are genetic replicas of adults — is immoral and should be outlawed. But the question of cloning for research, also called therapeutic cloning, is for many lawmakers more complicated. At the same time, the issue is tangled with another controversy, that of stem-cell research. Stem cells are primordial cells that can grow into any type of tissue in the body, and scientists say they hold great promise for treating and curing disease. But in order to realize the full promise of stem cells, researchers will have to create cells that will be compatible with patients' own immune systems. One way to do this, experts say, is through therapeutic cloning. "I don't see any problem in banning human cloning," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. "I think we'd get 100-to-0 on that one." But, she added, "Why would we want to stop and derail stem-cell research?" Brownback urged his colleagues not to mix cloning with stem-cell research. "Some have said this is about stem cells," Brownback said. "It's not about stem cells. This is about cloning. This is about taking a human individual and creating him by a cloned technology similar to that used to create Dolly the sheep." Brownback's bill draws support from across the political spectrum, including environmental groups, abortion opponents, women's advocates and Christian fundamentalists. But advocates for patients, as well as the biotechnology industry, are strongly in support of therapeutic cloning, and therefore oppose the Brownback legislation. Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research, a patients' group, said Monday that the bill "would set a very dangerous precedent of bringing the police powers of the federal government into the laboratories." He added, "We need a lot fuller debate on this." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 19:31:22 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: ervinmccarthy <[log in to unmask]> Subject: To Quiet MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Is anyone on this list or is something wrong with my computer? Haven't received an e-mail in hours. [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 16:42:14 -0800 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Janice Morgan <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: To Quiet MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I just got here, I have been busy for my grandchild was born on the 4th of this month. His name is Hunter Joseph Morgan he weighed in at 9 pounds and 8.2 ounces and is 22 inches long. I must admit he is just about the cuties thing I have ever laid my eyes on. Bunny (Janice) ----- Original Message ----- From: ervinmccarthy <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 4:31 PM Subject: To Quiet > Is anyone on this list or is something wrong with my computer? Haven't > received an e-mail in hours. > [log in to unmask] > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 17:36:38 -0700 Reply-To: [log in to unmask] Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Mark Robbins <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: To Quiet In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I'm here! -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of ervinmccarthy Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 5:31 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: To Quiet Is anyone on this list or is something wrong with my computer? Haven't received an e-mail in hours. [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 20:12:51 -0500 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: ervinmccarthy <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: To Quiet MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Thanks Janice, at least I know nothing wrong with my computer. Congratulations on the 9 1/2 lb grandchild, he's going to be a big one. [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Janice Morgan" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 7:42 PM Subject: Re: To Quiet > I just got here, I have been busy for my grandchild was born on the 4th of > this month. His name is Hunter Joseph Morgan he weighed in at 9 pounds and > 8.2 ounces and is 22 inches long. I must admit he is just about the cuties > thing I have ever laid my eyes on. Bunny (Janice) > ----- Original Message ----- > From: ervinmccarthy <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 4:31 PM > Subject: To Quiet > > > > Is anyone on this list or is something wrong with my computer? Haven't > > received an e-mail in hours. > > [log in to unmask] > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 02:54:20 -0500 Reply-To: [log in to unmask] Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Perry Cohen <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Neotrofin Status Report MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I visited Neotheraputics, Inc. in October to introduce the company to the Parkinson's Pipeline Project (aka Parkinson's FDA Industry Initiative--- see www.parkinsonscare.org/RxDev.html). I met with the Scientific Director and the Medical Director. The company is focusing its efforts on a 'pivotal' phase II Alzheimers clinical trial of neotrofin. The results are expected in the first quarter of 2002. With no products on the market, the company is under some pressure from investors. Preliminary imaging studies on humans taking the medication done at UC-Irvin have had promising results. A pilot study is being conducted in 5 centers for PD. As of a month ago 17/25 subjects for the pilot had been enrolled. They are looking for newly diagnosed patients only for the pilot. The trial is 3 months (maybe too short) and results are expected in the spring. (see press release below) Neotrofin is one of several nerve growth factors already being tested by pharmaceutical companies and soon to be studied by NIH in a large clinical trial. Neuroimmunophilin Ligands (NIL) now under Guilford Pharmaceuticals are farther down the pipeline, but had disappointing results in recent trials by Amgen and have been delayed by the transition from Amgen back to Guilford. Both of these medications have the advantage of being small molecules that cross the blood-brain barrier and can be taken orally but as I understand it different mechanism are at work. NIL stimulates the growth of nerve endings, while Neotrofin stimulates stem cells in the brain to regenerate nerve growth. (please correct me if I am wrong in this over simplified characterization). ******************** IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- NeoTherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEOT; NEOTW) announced today that it has expanded its Neotrofin phase 2 Parkinson's disease trial to include four additional clinical locations. New participants include Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island (Providence), Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center (Chicago), The Parkinson's Institute (Sunnyvale, CA), and Oregon Health & Science University (Portland). Ten patients are currently receiving either Neotrofin or placebo, including seven patients at the Parkinson's and Movement Disorder Institute at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. ``Neotrofin uses the body's own tools to protect, repair and rebuild nerves in the brain,'' stated Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D., President and Chief Operating Officer of NeoTherapeutics. ``Our drug activates nerve growth factors, which in addition to helping repair nerves, cause the proliferation of stem cells that already exist in the brain. Additional growth factors stimulated by Neotrofin may then cause the differentiation and maturation of these new stem cells into new neurons, which could repair the damage done by neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease.'' Patients participating in this trial will receive doses of Neotrofin escalating from 250 mg to 1,000 mg twice per day for twelve weeks. In addition to extensive assessments of tolerance and safety, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-part III (Motor Scale) will be used as the primary measure of preliminary efficacy. Several other Parkinson's disease rating scales will be used as secondary efficacy measures. ********************************* Perry Cohen www.parkinsonscare.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 05:12:19 -0800 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: News & Views From The Overnight Newswire - Dec. 6th. 2001 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Good Morning All, Here's the overnight "News & Views".... from the media Not too much happenin'... Cheers ........ murray NEWS: Teva invests $10m. in Proneuron http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2001/12/04/Digital/Digital.39346.html EDITORIAL: The Case For Cloning http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/134374856_cloned06.html Boxing legend Ali hired for worldwide marketing effort http://www.l-e-o.com/content/columbus/2001/12/06/news/1206CokeMuhammadAli.htm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 05:12:33 -0800 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Subject: USAToday: Debra Jo Rupp shares hope for Parkinson's disease MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: Quoted-printable 12/05/2001=A0-=A0Updated=A004:38 PM=A0ET USA Today Debra Jo Rupp shares hope for Parkinson's disease By W. Reed Moran, Spotlight Health With medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D. Debra Jo Rupp says people with Parkinson's need lots of help from their friends and loved ones. As the mother in the Fox hit That 70's Show, actress Debra Jo Rupp knows how to draw humor from her often-difficult family. But finding the laughter in crisis is also what Rupp does in real life. That's because her mother is battling Parkinson's disease (PD). "Several years ago, my mother started suffering from symptoms of what turned out to be Parkinson's disease," says Rupp. "Part of what was so frustrating and frightening was that her condition was so hard to diagnose. Rupp says that mother, Margaret, who is now 72, began falling repeatedly, had minor traffic accidents, and eventually began struggling for words. "When we brought her to a doctor, we initially thought she had experienced a stroke," says Rupp. But after being referred to a specialist through Rupp's friend and fellow actress Lisa Kudrow, the proper diagnosis was finally determined. Rupp's mother was diagnosed with cortical basal ganglionic degeneration, a rare disorder characterized by Parkinson's disease and cortical degeneration. Because the symptoms were already severe and progressed rapidly, Rupp's mother is now in a nursing home. "At this point, my mother can't talk, walk, or use her hands ... but the miracle is that she is cogent and can still laugh," says Rupp. And it is the balm of laughter that has buoyed the spirits of the family members as well. "People ask, how do we all get through this experience day by day?," says Rupp. "The answer is we all understand the basic absurdity of the situation, and laughter's a way of communication that can go deeper than words." Rupp says that adversity has also brought her family closer. "We simply found we had to readjust our expectations, but we were all in this together," says Rupp. And while Rupp has accepted the reality of her mother's late-stage symptoms, she is an ardent advocate of hope for others. "Parkinson's is a condition that's seen enormous advances in treatment. Early diagnosis allows patients and their families to enjoy a greatly enhanced quality of life." Getting the facts Parkinson's is a chronic, slowly progressive neurological condition that affects a small area of cells in the middle brain known as the substantia nigra. Gradual degeneration of these cells causes a reduction in the vital chemical dopamine. This decrease in dopamine can produce one or more of the classic signs of PD: Resting tremor on one side of the body Generalized slowness of movement (bradykinesia) Stiffness of limbs (rigidity), and Gait or balance problems According to the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), up to 1.5 million Americans are affected by PD, more than those suffering from multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy combined. PD affects approximately one out of every 100 persons over 60 in the USA. The cause of PD remains a mystery. It is not contagious, and at present there is no conclusive research that identifies an actual gene linked to Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease =97 the most common form of PD. Since there is no definitive lab test or brain scan to verify the clinical diagnosis of PD, the NPF strongly recommends that patients seek a verification of this condition from a board-certified neurologist who specializes in movement disorders. While there is as yet no known cure or prevention for PD, progressive treatments allow many patients to maintain a high level of function throughout their lifetimes. But the NPF emphasizes it would be a mistake for newly diagnosed patients to drift from doctor to doctor looking for a "magic bullet" or miracle drug to completely eliminate all symptoms of PD. Living well with PD Many early PD symptoms can be controlled with currently available medications such as Sinemet. The best results are obtained in the first few years. However, with long-term use some patients notice a shorter duration of action from each dose. Other drugs, called dopamine agonists, are often used in conjunction with Sinemet to prolong its duration and action. Surgical procedures such as thalamotomy for tremor, and pallidotomy for overall disability, have also been shown to enhance the quality of life for many PD patients. Most physicians agree that brain surgery is a reasonable option only for patients who are no longer responsive to optimal medication management. One of the latest advances in neurosurgery is deep brain stimulation (DBS), wherein an electrode is planted deep within the brain and controlled by the patient with an on/off magnetic device. Dr. Michael Dogali, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Southern California, is a pioneer in the development of a new procedure called simultaneous bilateral deep brain stimulation. "The advantage of bilateral DBS is that we are able to address many Parkinson's symptoms on both sides of the body with one surgery," says Dogali. Thanks to an exemption from the FDA, Dogali and his colleagues working at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles are one of few surgical teams in the nation currently able to provide bilateral DBS. "No other therapy has shown to dramatically suppress symptoms of advanced Parkinson's," says Dogali. Recent results indicate that bilateral DBS can reduce rigidity, slowness or absence of movement by as much as 60% and reduce tremors by more than 90%." Dogali reports that unlike other surgical procedures such as pallidotomy, DBS does not destroy brain tissue, and the electrical stimulation can be adjusted to a patient's changing needs. "There is also clinical evidence that early intervention with DBS can be neuroprotective," says Dogali. "It has been shown to actually shield brain tissue and prevent the disease from progressing." Dogali emphasizes that while a cure for PD is at least 10 years away, bilateral DBS can make a huge difference in the lives of people currently dealing with the advanced stages of the illness. Meanwhile PD patients and their families cope the best they can, one day at a time. "It is what it is," says Rupp. "For now, we can't stop it, but we can always seek the best medical advice and give much-needed emotional support to our loved ones." And as Rupp reminds us, when times are toughest, don't forget to laugh. SOURCE: USA TODAY http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/spotlight/2001-12-05-rupp-life.htm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 13:16:53 EST Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Ed Grskovich <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Non PD: Possible virus. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit If you posted recently to the list do not open any attachments that may be returned from [log in to unmask] (Chee Liew Seong) Attachment name can vary. This one was: HUMOR.MP3.scr ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 14:22:34 -0800 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: bonnie clay riley <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Non PD: Possible virus. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit A HUMOR. M. SCR showed up as an infected file on my hard drive when I did a virus scan. It took two attempts to clean it and get rid of it. Bonnie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ed Grskovich" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, December 07, 2001 10:16 AM Subject: Non PD: Possible virus. > If you posted recently to the list do not open any attachments that may be > returned from [log in to unmask] (Chee Liew Seong) Attachment name can vary. > This one was: HUMOR.MP3.scr > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 19:41:23 -0600 Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> Sender: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Jo Ann Coen <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: To Quiet MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Erwin - I'm getting lotza messages. But it goes in spurts. some days I get many and some days little. Just hang in there, they'll come. Jo Ann ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn