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FYI for people in the Boston area who may be interested: (copied from the MGH WWW page) Neurotransmitter - Jan 1995 Clinical Trial: Working Memory and Language Comprehension in PD The purpose of this study is to investigate the working memory and language comprehension abilities of patients with PD. Initial Selection Criteria: We are interested in testing non-demented patients with mild to moderate PD (Hoehn & Yahr Stages II and III). Exclusionary criteria include secondary causes of Parkinsonism, another type of akinetic-rigid syndrome, or another primary neurologic or psychiatric illness. Patients should be unmedicated or minimally medicated (small amounts of levodopa, bromocriptine, and/or trihexyphenidyl). Neuropsychological Screen: Patients will be screened on a battery of Neuropsychological tests currently in use in our laboratory in order to document any cognitive impairment and decline. This battery includes the Mini Mental Status Examination, portions of the Wechsler Memory Scale, the Raven's Progressive Matricies, Wisconscin Card Sorting Test, Boston Naming Test, a verbal fluency task, Trail Making, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, and tests of psychomotor functioning (simple reaction time, choice reaction time, tapping). Assessment of Memory and Language Functions: Patients will be tested on several experimental measures which assess their working memory and language functions. These include tests of verbal working memory capacity and simple sentence-picture matching tests. Location and Time of Testing: Patients can be tested either in their homes or in the Neuropsychology Laboratory at MGH. Total testing time is approximately 4-6 hours spread out over 3 or 4 sessions. Patients are paid for their participation. TO REFER PATIENTS TO THE STUDY PLEASE CONTACT: Adrienne Prassas MGH Neuropsychology Laboratory 726-3432 David Caplan, M.D. & Gloria Waters, Ph.D.