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This item was recently posted on the UK PDNews service. What caught my attention is the comment "adds to the debate over whether the current use of dopamine in the treatment of Parkinson's could make things worse in the long run," I didn't know there was a debate. Does anyone have any more information about this? thanks ======================================================== Subject: [pdnews] "Brain Protein Identified As Likely Factor In Parkinson's" Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 20:27:48 +0100 This message has been sent to you by the PDNEWS service. ---------------------------------------------------------------- >From http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,1271,-1775045,00.html [snip] >A protein that exists normally in most of the cells in the brain has been >identified as a possible factor in the development of Parkinson's disease. > >The discovery could point the way to treatments. > >In lab experiments, when the brain protein alpha-synuclein combines with >dopamine in nerve cells it can trigger the production of toxic reactive >oxygen molecules that kill the nerves, according to a research team led >by Dr Bruce Yankner of Harvard Medical School. > >If this process operates in patients the same way it does in the >laboratory, it could set scientists on the path to potential treatments, >Dr Yankner said. > >But it also adds to the debate over whether the current use of dopamine >in the treatment of Parkinson's could make things worse in the long run, >he added. > >The findings appear in the journal Nature Medicine. [snip] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn