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Hello all, I recently joined the list and would like to introduce myself: Rami Kaminski MD. I am a psychiatrist who specializes in pharmacology of brain disorders. In addition to my role as director of inpatient unit at Mount Sinai Hospital I am also the consultant to the Parkinson Clinic there (Run by Drs. Yahr and Olanow). My main interest is an aspect of Pakinson's disease that has gained renewed attention in recent years (Although described in 1817 by Dr. Parkinson in his famous manuscript.) It is commonly termed bradyphrenia (No relation to schizophrenia!) and it has little to do with the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Rather, it is the decrease of motivation and willingness to engage in everyday activities that some patients experience. It is different from depression (although on the surface appears similar and entails some diagnostic testing to differentiate.) It also does not respond (or poorly so) to the common dopamine agonist treatment. Most recent research indicate that this amotivational syndrome is probably not related to the dopamine deficiency that underlie the motor symptoms. That in brief is what I do in terms of my work with Parkinson's disease. I hope to learn from the list and its contributors. Rami Kaminski The Mount Sinai School of Medicine New York