 |
 |
>> HOUSTON, Jan. 18, 2002 – New research from University of Houston >> scientists may lead to techniques for jump-starting the faulty >> "wiring" in damaged nerve cells, and suggests possible avenues for >> treating spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease >> I am sort of Really, Really, confused with the above statement especially for Parkinson's disease. A similiar statement as above was made in University of Illinois that I visited for a Parkinsons Seminar last summer that theorized that the cells in the substantia niagra actually only needed rewiring to start working. I have been told and have read that 50%- 80% of cells in the substantia niagra were supposed to be dead ( not damaged) before people would show the symptoms of Parkinson's. Yes, there apparently will be some cells left in that part of the brain that will be alive and functioning. I was further advised that when the brain cells in the substantia niagra die they are disposed of by the body quite naturally. This statement has been made by Nuerologists who have autopsied people who have died from Parkinson's, and from autopsied people who had Parkinsons and had died prematurely through accidents. While I can see the purpose rewiring in parts of the body where cells are damaged only- ie spinal cord injury etc., I am sort of really confused how it is going to help Parkinsons' per ce. If 50%-80% of cells are dead and gone what are we gonna wire up? One begins to wonder if Parkinson Disease is just thrown in to get research funding easier and in the total long run what benefit will it be to Parkinsons' at all? I am not against anyone getting research funding for any disease or disability. I am just really wondering if this specific type research is really going to benefit Parkinsons or has Parkinsons been used to benefit this research, and will it just prevent the limited research funding from being available to be allocated for other types of Parkinsons research? (ie stem cell, or other types of cell replacement, etc.) Don PD+ 53/4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn