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Current Science Reviews by Joe Bruman February 1996 (part 1) Bredesen D.: Ann Neur 1995;38:839-851: Comprehensive review of neural apoptosis, a mode of cell death in which the cell plays an active role in its own demise. Thought to be modulated by genetic anomaly, suggesting that possibly therapeutic intervention may be feasible (someday). Remy P et al: Ann Neur 1995;38:954-956: FD-PET study of 2 patients with Pallidopyramidal Disease, a rare childhood disease combining parkinsonian syndrome with pyramidal signs. Both showed marked dopaminergic denervation of the striatum, supporting reports that the disease responds to levodopa therapy. Hulette C et al: Neur 1995;45:1991-1995: The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) is a multicenter longitudinal study of AD. Of the first 78 cases studied postmortem, 16 showed concomitant PD pathology (nigral degeneration and Lewy bodies). Eidelberg D et al: Neur 1995;45:1995-2004: Early-stage PD in 10 patients was distinguished from normal by PET using F-fluorodeoxyglucose, rather than fluorodopa, as a marker to assess local metabolic rate for glucose. Metabolic brain imaging with FDG/PET may be useful in differential diagnosis of EPD. Penn A et al: Neur 1995;45:2097-2099: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy using radioactive P as marker was used to study mitochondrial function in resting arm muscle of PD patients. Although useful to detect mitochondrial disease, value of the technique for diagnosis of early-stage PD is inconclusive. McCrank E: Neur 1995;45:2112: A patient who at age 8 inhaled gasoline and was unconscious for 24 to 36 hours, recovered completely but at age 32 developed severe disabling parkinsonism. Others are investigating long-latency neurotoxicity as a cause of PD. Science News: 6 Jan 1995, p.4 (news item): Is there an inherited personality profile for PD? The article doesn't say so, but researchers think they have found the first gene for a specific trait, "novelty seeking". In an odd coincidence, this gene controls a variant of the dopamine receptor site D4, which is (I think) related to PD. Is there a real connection? Stay tuned. Cochran J et al: JAMA 17 Jan 1996: Restless leg syndrome in patients unresponsive to levodopa or clonazepam was successfully treated with gabapentin. Further trial is urged. J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks CA 91403