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Schneider, J. et al: Neur 1995; 45:1149-1154 The glycolipid monosialoganglioside GM1 is normally abundant in neuron membranes of the brain, and is thought to modulate the self-repair by damaged neurons, particularly the dopaminergic ones of the substantia nigra, in ways poorly understood. In continuing studies evidently sponsored by Sygen, who have extracted GM1 from cattle, it has been tried in animals, including MPTP monkeys, and recently in human volunteers. Ten subjects with uncomplicated PD got 1000mg iv, followed by 200mg subcut- aneous daily for 18 weeks. GM1 proved generally safe and well-tolerated (despite some earlier reports of association with Guillain-Barre syndrome) and produced small but significant improvement in cognitive and motor function. A double-blind follow-up study is now underway, and subjects are still being recruited by Hahnemann University, (215) 782-3066. The trial requires frequent presence for testing in Philadelphia. The group is also working on LIGA 20, a more potent semi-synthetic derivative of GM1 that may be taken orally. J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks CA 91403