"Tweekette tweekin' Abe". and * dr abe lieberman of NPF
"We hear that a person diagnosed with Parkinson's usually has 80% loss
of dopamine production at time of diagnosis. [I'm sure it varies]."
* answer this is probably correct
"Given that fact and the progressive nature of the disease, it's logical to
expect that the dopamine producing cells will continue to die. "
* answer
the dopamine production will continue to fall but all cells are not equally
vulnerable the most vulnerable die first others may last
"Is the loss of these cells related to the "honeymoon period" that we see
when first diagnosed when Sinemet helps the best. "
*answer
we are not certain. there are at least 2 factors. a lost of cells and a change
in the sensitivity of the receptors
"From my readings, 5 -7 years is average for the "honeymoon" period so
does that mean that in five years a person with Parkinsons would be at
90% or 95% loss? "
* answer
it does not because the remaining cells may be more resistant
"When dyskinesias develop could it be said that one is 97% depleated?"
* answer
dyskinesia are more likely related to changes in the senstivity of the receptors
"Can you live at 100% depleated of normal dopamine production?"
*answer
addition to a change in receptors making them more sensitive to
dopamine there are non dopamine cells that become able to make dopamine
"Thanks for a factual or even a theoretical answer."
Tweekette .... sharin' what she just learned
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
