 |
 |
Greetings from Boone, NC The Charlotte Observer this morning, April 3, 1995, reports that Duke University neurologist, Allen Roses, whose theory about a gene for Alzheimer's disease is gaining support, is now launching a search for a gene that causes PD. Charlotte neurologist Fred Allen, director of the Metrolina Memory Center at Carolina Neurological Clinic is among the researchers at seven sites across the country who will be helping Roses find Families affected with PD. The public can participate by encouraging their own or other families to search for multiple patients with PD. Two families have been found in the Charlotte area. To start the study, researchers must find families with at least two blood relatives who have PD or are suspected of having it. Siblings with PD or a parent and child with PD would be the best examples to show genetic linkages, Allen said, but any PD patient with one or more relatives with the disease is invited to participate. Blood samples will be taken from each patient; DNA will be compared for similarities. Detailed genetic histories will be collected from each family. Participation is voluntary, free, and confidential and does not replace or interfere with ongoing medical care. "If a gene is found at least partly responsible for PD, we might hope to identify these people before symptoms occur and perhaps postpone or conceivably prevent the appearance of the disease," Allen said. "It is too soon to give any estimates at this point." By the time PD symptoms appear, doctors have found that 80% of the brain cells that produce dopamine are already gone. That's one reason researchers are pushing to find the cause of PD so that it can be prevented. "There are several teams that are looking for the gene," said Dinah Orr, executive director of the PD Foundation in NY. "There's fierce competition, I think I could say, which is not bad at all. The Current thinking is that there's probably some susceptibility factor that's inherited. If they can identify a gene, then, of course, we need to identify the environmental trigger.... It's fascinating what's going on." For information or to volunteer, write: Linda Ingle, Metrolina Memory Center 1001 Blythe Blvd., Suite 601 Charlotte, NC 28203 or Call her at 344-1925 or 377-9323 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or leave a message on the answering machine. I have enjoyed your communications through this list and wish you all well. As for our situation, I am happy to report that Mom hasn't fallen since the Christmas disaster and is doing well. The new neurologist in Salem, Oregon has questioned her diagnosis of 18 months ago and is reducing her Sinemet dosage. So far no bad results. We are hoping her symptoms are simply the results of small strokes as shown on the MRI. Spring comes slowly to the mountains, but we are enjoying the occasional previews. Enjoy every day and all the good you can find it. My thoughts are with you. Melony Winkelmann