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March 30, 2002 CBC Parkinson's mystery may aid research 4 out of 125 have disease Ian Bailey National Post VANCOUVER - Don S. Williams is, in a way, used to conspiracies, secret schemes and oddities. For four years, the veteran actor and director had a prominent role in TV's The X-Files as an "elder." He was a grim-faced, impassive fellow in sober suits, who sat with other equally gloomy types in dark backrooms, hatching plans that bedeviled Fox Mulder and Dana Scully -- FBI agents trying to unravel a conspiracy involving humans and aliens. It was a good gig. It ended, recalls Mr. Williams dryly, when rebel aliens "fried [my character] to a crisp." But the 64-year-old North Vancouver resident has lately been reflecting on an oddity at the core of a very personal matter, far removed from TV fantasy. It has to do with Mr. Williams' diagnosed case of Parkinson's disease, which curtailed an acting career that spanned 47 years. "I can't accept acting roles because I can't be sure I can deliver the goods," says Mr. Williams, who deals daily with tremors, insomnia and some energy problems related to the illness. "I am not getting better, but I am not getting worse." The Canadian comic actor Michael J. Fox, also diagnosed with the degenerative illness, sits at the core of the enigma that occupies Mr. Williams' thoughts. The two men are among four people diagnosed with Parkinson's who were associated with a 125-member CBC production crew that worked in a cluster of studios in the basement of the main CBC complex in Vancouver during the late 1970s. One of the four, a cameraman, has not yet been identified. Twenty-three years ago, Mr. Fox -- famous for roles in two hit sitcoms Family Ties and Spin City -- worked on the Vancouver -produced series Leo & Me -- the first TV work for the Edmonton-born actor then billed as Mike Fox. Mr. Fox was Jamie, the nephew of Leo (played by Brent Carver, who later found stardom in theatre). The TV pair lived on a yacht in Vancouver harbour -- home base for wild adventures as they met odd characters. The show was produced at CBC's Vancouver studios in 1978. Thirteen episodes were aired in 1981. Mr. Fox, now 40, also worked on a series called Nellie, Daniel, Emma and Ben, where he was directed by Mr. Williams. Both series were handled by the same production team. The four-in-125 factor has piqued the interest of observers, who say it is statistically anomalous and it underlines a new view of Parkinson's, which afflicts about one million people across North America. That view suggests Parkinson's could be caused by viral infections. Observers suggest there are higher risks of developing Parkinson's among teachers and health care workers because of exposure to people with influenza, as well as other workers, such as loggers, who spend a lot of time together in close quarters. The view is articulated in The Parkinson's Enigma, a documentary to be aired on April 7 on CTV. It suggests a single event, such as a viral or toxic attack linked to pesticides, herbicides, metals, solvents, as well as such viruses as encephalitis or virulent influenza strains, could kill or wound neurons that affect muscle movement. "Something happens. You're not aware of it. But several years down the road, you develop symptoms and the disease progresses," Dr. Donald Calne, professor- emeritis with the Neurodegenerative Disorder Centre at the University of British Columbia Hospital, said during an interview. All of this has left Mr. Williams reflecting on his days working with Mr. Fox, whom he remembers fondly as a professional, a pleasant contradiction to the truism that "a lot of young actors can be insufferable." Mr. Williams tries not to dwell on the past. He keeps busy with various commitments, including part-time teaching in TV and film at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. And he says he remembers nothing special about those days with Mr. Fox, not even a case of the flu among members of the unit. Mr. Williams jokes that the Parkinson's may have started on the series because "we used up a lot of brain cells working on the scripts." They were not, says Mr. Williams, very good. "I still try to search through my memories of the experience to see if there is anything," he says. "But I don't want to sit around feeling sorry for myself." Dr. Donald Calne thinks the chances of four in 125 people developing Parkinson's is about one in 20,000. "It essentially could not be coincidence," he says. Dr. Calne, who is treating three of the CBC four, is thinking of drafting a research proposal to investigate the mystery. And he may seek funding from the foundation that Mr. Fox launched in May, 2000, to encourage Parkinson's research. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is devoted to developing a cure within a decade. "What has become apparent is that this is worth a deeper investigation," Dr. Calne says. Parkinson's is a chronic, progressive disorder of the nervous system named for Dr. James Parkinson, the English doctor who first described it in 1817. It results from the loss of cells that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that transmits signals within the brain. Loss of dopamine leaves patients unable to control their movements. No cause has been identified for Parkinson's. There is no cure, although drugs and surgery can deal with some of the symptoms, which include tremors, trembling, problems with balance and stiffness in limbs. Dr. Calne is also curious about what happened to the other 121 people associated with the CBC production unit. "We don't know for sure that there are only four cases," he says, expressing hopes that media attention around the situation may prompt people to come forward. Given the opportunity to speak to them, Dr. Calne would like to ask them if they recall anything unusual about their experiences on the set in downtown Vancouver. "Obviously, with these patients, we haven't been able to do so." He doubts toxins were the factor in this case. Mr. Fox announced in 1998 that he had been suffering from Parkinson's since 1991. He left Spin City -- in which he played the deputy mayor of New York City -- in 2000 to spend more time with his children and to focus on developing a cure. "As sure as the sun's going to come up tomorrow, it's gonna happen," Mr. Fox says in the documentary. "So our mission is just to make it happen as soon as possible." Don Williams recalls that the young Mike Fox was a pleasure to work with. "I know we're always supposed to say this, but in this case it's true: It was a very good experience," Mr. Williams says. "I found [Mr. Fox] very excited, very committed and wanting to learn. I remember mutterings in the crew, saying this kid was going to go far because he had the right attitude." Mr. Williams also did well. He was a director and producer of The Beachcombers for six years, directing 48 episodes of the popular CBC show -- a Canadian TV institution. He started as an actor when he was 17. The X-Files, one among many credits, came when his agent called to say the show's producers were "looking for a particular type" for the part he eventually got. Mr. Williams was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1993, when a persistent shaking in his right arm prompted him to seek medical attention. "My first reaction was that I was not old enough. I was 55," he says. "I was of the belief that Parkinson's happens when you're 75, not 55. I soon got educated." Mr. Williams said he was determined to deal with his illness. "I was determined that this was not going to change my life. It has." He said it did not affect his X-Files work. Indeed, it may have helped. Effects of the disease helped him convey an enigmatic air, which helped with the part. Earlier last week, he flew to New York City with Dr. Calne for a joint appearance on the whole issue on Good Morning America. "I have been willing to do whatever I can towards awareness and public education about Parkinson's," he says. "Obviously, I have a vested interest." [log in to unmask] SOURCE: The National Post http://www.nationalpost.com/search/story.html?f=/stories/20020330/493416.html&qs=parkinson * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn