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I'm sure by now we are all aware of the exciting clinical trial results announced today about CoEnzyme Q10 On tonights evening news Tom Brokaw gave the typical media report about the newest "miracle treatment for PD" and as he pointed out - it doesn't involve the controversial use of stem cells. He did not however point out that this is a treatment that may slow progression - but it is not a cure. He also did not report that the study - while very hopeful indeed, included only patients in the earliest stages who were not taking Sinemet yet. But he conveyed great hope and optimism about the treatment. I was diagnosed 7 years ago and am taking Sinemet - but it's worth trying i thought - i'll go to the drug store and buy a bottle of CoE Q10 and start taking it right away. But wait! In my email I just received a copy of the press release from VitaLine, the company that produces and donated the COEnzyme Q wafers used in the clinical trials.They state in their press release that only their product has been proven safe and effective. Other brands may even be harmful. They give their website and phone number for easy ordering. Press Release: BW2390 OCT 14,2002 / 13:00 PACIFIC / 16:00 EASTERN ( BW)(WI-VITALINE-FORMULARY) Researchers Find Vitaline CoQ10 Slows Progression of Parkinson's Disease by Close to 45 Percent; -- NIH Fast-Tracks Third-Phase Research -- Health/Medical Writers GREEN BAY, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 2002-- "The estimated 1.5 million Americans who suffer from Parkinson's Disease have new hope, according to an article published this month in the Archives of Neurology. Research sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found 1200 mg. daily of Vitaline CoQ10, a nutritional supplement with three patents pending, slowed the progression of Parkinson's Disease 44 percent. Vitaline CoQ10 has been the subject of more than 20 research studies, review articles, and abstract presentations. Vitaline CoQ10 is especially attractive because it is safe in high dosages and has been proven to penetrate the cell. It is the only CoQ10 of the hundreds on the market to meet both these criteria." ... Recently, researchers from Harvard Medical School found Vitaline CoQ10 successfully crosses the blood-brain barrier to enter and increase the amount of CoQ10 in the cell mitochondria. Vitaline CoQ10 is unique for this reason, as no other CoQ10 has been proven to do this. Vitaline CoQ10 has a unique and proprietary formula, delivery mechanism and manufacturing process, for which it has developed multiple patents pending. Other CoQ10-containing products have not been proven safe, tolerable or effective. Many readily available CoQ10-containing products contain ingredients which are harmful at the high doses used in the clinical research." SOURCE: Business Wire http://www.businesswire.com --- OK i thought - i'll buy the VitaLine product just to be sure. BUT WAIT! I just received another email with the abstract of this study published in : ARchives of Neurology Vol. 59 No. 10,October 2002 Effects of Coenzyme Q10 in Early Parkinson Disease Evidence of Slowing of the Functional Decline The conclusions of the researchers were much more limited than those suggested by the TV news report or VitaLine, and did not recommend one brand over another. (The abstract is available online at http://archneur.ama-assn.org/issues/v59n10/abs/noc20145.html ) The researchers concluded that: " Coenzyme Q10 was safe and well tolerated at dosages of up to 1200 mg/d. Less disability developed in subjects assigned to coenzyme Q10 than in those assigned to placebo, and the benefit was greatest in subjects receiving the highest dosage. Coenzyme Q10 appears to slow the progressive deterioration of function in PD, but these results need to be confirmed in a larger study." OK i thought - i'll ask my friendly pharmacists which brand they recommend, realizing that CoEnzyme Q10 is considedred a dietary supplement - not a prescription drug, and therefore won't be covered by our health insurance. I know its not a "miracle cure" , but if it slows the progression of my PD - i should take it no matter how much it costs! But Wait! I checked my email again and found yet another press release - this one from the NINDS : Study Suggests Coenzyme Q10 Slows Functional Decline in Parkinson's Disease For release: Monday, October 14, 2002 "Results of the first placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial of the compound coenzyme Q10 suggest that it can slow disease progression in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). While the results must be confirmed in a larger study, they provide hope that this compound may ultimately provide a new way of treating PD." Sounds very promising -- BUT WAIT!!! The NINDS also warns: "..Dr. Shults and his colleagues strongly caution patients against taking coenzyme Q10 until a larger, definitive trial can be conducted. Because coenzyme Q10 is classified as a dietary supplement, it is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The versions of the supplement sold in stores may differ, they may not contain potentially beneficial amounts of the compound, and taking coenzyme Q10 over a number of years may be costly, says Dr. Shults. In addition, the current study included only a small number of patients, and the findings may not extend to people in later stages of PD or to those who are at risk but have not been diagnosed with the disorder, he notes." AND " Finally, if many people begin taking coenzyme Q10 because of these early results, it might make it impossible for investigators to find enough patients to carry out definitive studies of the compound's effectiveness and the proper dosages, since patients must not be taking any treatments in order to be considered for enrollment in a definitive trial. The investigators are now planning a larger clinical trial that will examine the effects of 1,200 mg/day of coenzyme Q10, and possibly a higher dose as well, in a larger number of patients..." I think the NINDS better speak to Tom Brokaw :( Linda ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn