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Rayilyn I read your letter to Dennis Turner posted on the listserv on 12/3/06. It concerned the resurfacing of the story of Mr. Turner's experience with the use of autologous cell implantation (i.e. using one's own cells to correct Turner's PD). The example of Turner's experience is why we must be so very careful not to get too excited about research projects, especially those not properly designed. I would like to comment on Turner's story. IT IS SO LONG THAT I PLAN TO GIVE IT IN TWO PARTS. In November, 2002 and December, 2003 ,Grassroots Connection editors (GRC - an independent website on PD advocacy)and others interviewed Dr. Levesque on two occasions concerning Turner's surgery. At that time Dr. Levesque was anxious to get the word out about Dennis Turner's "miraculous" recovery from advanced Parkinson's. Turner had shown an 80-90% improvement in his symptoms holding its own 3 years post-op. That, my friends, even if for but 1 year is something to write home about! (To read the interviews, go to www.grassrootsconnection.com then click on Dr. Michel Levesque under "Voices to Inspire." At the time of the interview there were several red flags that went up. First of all, this was a study of one person only. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that the effects of a procedure for one only person is not a reliable way to measure the success of a treatment. Those who interviewed Levesque at the time asked what criteria were needed to participate in the next trials of this astounding discovery. His answer raised our brows. Phase II criteria disqualifies one if prior brain surgery had been done, because the auologous cells were initially removed from Turner during a DBS procedure. Hmmm? I am wondering how they retrieve one's own brain cells to culture and implant? GRC also asked about the DBS - how they could determine if the DBS or the cell implantation was responsible for Turner's improvement. Dr. Levesque told us that Turner was able to function without turning on the stimulator. He had this to say: " . . .the initial procedure was only approved to access the tissue from the individual's brain if we were to perform a DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) procedure. That is how we were able to access and harvest some of his own brain cells. His device has now been turned off for the last 2-3 years, and can obviously be removed now. His medication has also been cut almost by half. He was the first candidate to use this therapy using the same criteria used for transplantation of fetal tissue." But today he has returned to Parkinson's symptoms consistent with advancing Parkinson's. TO BE CONTINUED Peggy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn