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Audrey The link won't show up unless you register, so I did. This may not be news for some (GDNF pump), but just in case, I have tried to copy the article: New treatment for Parkinson's shows promise 05:52 PM PST on Friday, January 2, 2004 By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News PORTLAND, Ore. - As many as one million Americans have Parkinson's disease. There are several treatment options, but they also come with side effects. Now doctors in Portland may now have found a way to not only treat the symptoms - but also reverse the disease. Fourteen years ago, Greg Moore was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Medication can only do so much. "Turning over in bed is very difficult for me to do," said Moore. "Going through a stack of papers is a very difficult thing to do." Two months ago, Greg became the first person in the U.S. to join an experimental study. Dr. Kim Burchiel placed two catheters under Greg's skin that run down his chest and attach to pumps implanted in his abdomen. Some patients will get a placebo. For others, it's a substance called glial derived neurotrophic factor or GDNF. "In animal models, GDNF seems to be very good at reversing or - I don't want to use the word cure - but correcting Parkinsonism," said Dr. John G. Nutt, a neurologist at Oregon Health & Science University. The drug seems to coax dying dopamine nerve cells back into production. In a small trial in England, patients reported dramatic improvement. "They got to the point where they were having much less problems with their Parkinsonism," said Nutt. "Some have reduced their drugs markedly as well." Greg is hopeful he's getting the real drug. The trial will last six months, and involves only 35 patients worldwide. - - - - - Thanks for sharing with us. Peggy New treatment for Parkinson's shows promise 05:52 PM PST on Friday, January 2, 2004 By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News PORTLAND, Ore. - As many as one million Americans have Parkinson's disease. There are several treatment options, but they also come with side effects. Now doctors in Portland may now have found a way to not only treat the symptoms - but also reverse the disease. Fourteen years ago, Greg Moore was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Medication can only do so much. "Turning over in bed is very difficult for me to do," said Moore. "Going through a stack of papers is a very difficult thing to do." The Oregonian Two months ago, Greg became the first person in the U.S. to join an experimental study. Dr. Kim Burchiel placed two catheters under Greg's skin that run down his chest and attach to pumps implanted in his abdomen. Some patients will get a placebo. For others, it's a substance called glial derived neurotrophic factor or GDNF. "In animal models, GDNF seems to be very good at reversing or - I don't want to use the word cure - but correcting Parkinsonism," said Dr. John G. Nutt, a neurologist at Oregon Health & Science University. The drug seems to coax dying dopamine nerve cells back into production. In a small trial in England, patients reported dramatic improvement. "They got to the point where they were having much less problems with their Parkinsonism," said Nutt. "Some have reduced their drugs markedly as well." Greg is hopeful he's getting the real drug. The trial will last six months, and involves only 35 patients worldwide. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Audrey Skrzyniarz" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2004 4:43 AM > I saw this on our local NBC station on Health Link, plus there was this > on their link. > > > http://www.king5.com/health/stories/NW_010204HEKparkinsonsEL.1038ae444.h > tml > > Audrey > > > Wearable computer helps memory > 05:51 PM PST on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 > > By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News > > > "I've been looking at memory support for a number of years now, because > I'm kind of forgetful myself," said MIT inventor Rich Duvaul. > > So Duvaul designed a wearable computer for the brain. > > Can't remember names? > > Wearable technology helps boost your brain power. > "My wearable has the ability to recognize people," he said. > > The matching name then flashes up on a tiny screen attached to the > wearer's glasses. But you don't actually read the name. > > "It's so brief, you can't consciously perceive it," said Duvaul. > > Because it's hidden in a tiny matrix, it's less disruptive and won't > throw you off. > > Can't remember your grocery list? > > "Maybe once a second you would get another ingredient, flashed for about > six milliseconds. That's six thousandths of a second," said Duvaul. > > Rick designed the device for Parkinson's patients, then realized anyone > could use it. > > The system not only boosts your memory, it actually helps improve it, > kind of like using flash cards. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn