The following was written by Dr. Chase for the APDA, announcing the commencement of a study on slowing or stopping the progression of PD. Volunteers with Hoehn & Yahr state I & II progression are requested. Thomas N. Chase, M.D. Chief Experimental Therapeutic Branch National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD. Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms are due to the progressive loss of dopamine containing neurons (nerve cells). The cause of this degenerative process remains a mystery with both genetic and environmental factors being implicated. Increasing evidence now suggests that either or both of these factors might act by increasing the formation of free radicals. Until recently, free radicals were mainly a subject of interest in the manufacture of plastics or the preservation of food. During the past two decades, however, it has become increasingly apparent that the human body constantly produces these substances. At times, free radicals perform essential functions, such as fighting infection, but excessive free radical production leads to oxidative stress, which, in turn, can cause tissue damage. This process has been implicated in a wide range of disorders involving the heart, kidney, brain, and other organs, even though the body uses an elaborate system of defenses to fight the excessive production of free radicals. Just what are free radicals and how do they produce oxidative stress? The answer requires some knowledge of simple chemistry. Electrons which orbit the central nucleus of an atom normally occur in pairs. A free radical is formed when one or more of these electrons becomes unpaired. In this state atoms tend to be unstable and highly reactive: when free radicals meet with non-radicals, new free radicals are generated. Formation of these reactant species thus starts a kind of chain reaction that can destroy cell membranes and ultimately lead to cell death. How does all this relate to PD? The brain is relatively vulnerable to free radical damage since it is filled with fatty substances that are a major component of cell membranes and are a perfect target for free radicals. This possibility is further enhanced by the compensatory increase in dopamine production that occurs in surviving neurons as PD advances. Increasing evidence from studies carried out in Parkinson's patients supports the theory that oxidative stress may play a role in the disease. For example, alterations in iron levels and proteins that serve as carriers for iron, in enzymes involved in the detoxification of free radicals, and in levels of lipid peroxidation, which occur in the brain of Parkinson patients, support this possibility, but they are hardly conclusive. Direct measures of oxidative stress in the human central nervous system are not yet possible. An alternative approach to evaluating this possibility might be to test the ability of drugs that act as free radical scavengers to slow disease progression. Unfortunately, the DATATOP study failed to show any benefits associated with the use of the free radical scavenger, Vitamin E. This negative result, however, does not necessarily indicate that free radicals do not participate in the degenerative process in PD since it is not known whether adequate Vitamin E concentrations were attained in the brain of the DATATOP study participants. Recent laboratory studies indicate that a new drug (code number OPC 14117) does possess free radical scavenging activity. This drug can be taken by mouth and readily enters the brain. OPC 14117 has now been given to over one thousand people in this country and abroad. Side effects were limited to increased liver enzyme levels in some individuals. Biochemical studies conducted at the NIH Clinical Center involving fourteen patients with PD suggested that OPC 14117 may have significantly increased free radical scavenging activity in the brain. As a result of these promising preliminary results, additional patient studies are now planned, in accordance with a protocol approved both by the NIH and the FDA. Their purpose is to evaluate whether the long-term administration of OPCI4II7, at doses that appear to influence oxidative stress in the human brain, may have the ability to substantially retard progression of Parkinson symptoms. Individuals newly diagnosed with PD are being sought for the study, which will take place at the outpatient clinic of the NIH Clinical Center located just outside of Washington, DC and last up to two years. All participants must have relatively mild symptoms, not require therapy with levodopa (Sinemet) or a dopamine agonist (such as Parlodel or Permax,) and have no other serious medical condition. Prior treatment with anticholinergics (such as Artane or Congentin), with amantadine (Symmetrel), or with selegiline (Eldepryl) is allowable as long as these drugs can be withdrawn at least two months prior to the beginning of the study. On the first visit to NIH, patients will receive a complete medical evaluation and laboratory tests and Parkinson symptoms will be scored using a standardized rating scale. Participants will be then randomly assigned to one of two groups, one of which will receive the active drug and the other a placebo in order to allow a comparison of the symptom progressian between the two groups. Both groups will then take tablets at home twice daily and blood and urine studies will also be performed weekly at home. More extensive clinical and laboratory testing will be carried out once a month with participants living outside the Washington area having them done at a local clinic or a doctor's office. Examinations at the NIH Outpatient Clinic will occur every three months, and like all other medical evaluations. laboratory tests, and drug supplies. will be free of charge. The study will be discontinued if at any time it is felt that conventional therapy Is necessary to control the symptoms of the disease. If OPC 14117 appears safe and beneficial, all participants completing the study will be offered active drug on a long-term basis as long as supplies are made available by the manufacturer. Individuals desiring further information about this study or wishing to be considered as participants are invited to call the Experimental Therapeutics Branch at the NIH Clinical Center at 301-496-4604. Alternatively, letters from patients or their referring physicians may be addressed to Dr. Thomas N. Chase, NIH/NINDS, Building 10 / Room SC103, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1406, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1406. Editors note: Some studies at NIH/ETB/NINDS have travel expenses available for those not living in the Washington, DC area. To determine if this one has travel expenses available, call Marge Gillespie, R.N. or Susan Kastris, R.N. at 1-800-362-3479. Patient inclusion characteristics are as follows: Mild symptoms Aged 18-79 Generally healthy Not taking antiparkinsonian medications for more than six months, and able to discontinue current medications for the duration of the study. John Cottingham "The parkinsn list brings Knowledge, Comfort, Hope, and Friendship to the parkinsonian world." Parkinson's Chat on the Undernet 8:30 PM CST -6 Daily. If you access the Internet through a provider with a [log in to unmask] PPP/SLIP account, free IRC chat software is available. WFD