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Marcia--on "retuning" and pallidotomy eligibility: I can quote the criteria and exclusions for the surgery used at the Ohio Stat U. PD Center of Excellence , where they are now doing pallids. EXCLUSIONS 1-OVER AGE 75 2-Dementia (MMS below 24) 3-Severe "soft voice" 4-Known major systemic disease(heart failure, renal failure) 5-Increased risk of homonymous hemianopsia (???) 6-Family or lyysician opposed PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS 1)Unilateral disease in non-dominant hand 2-Bradykinesia & muscle stiffness,esp. in legs 3-Rigidity of(do they mean OR?)tremor more prominent than skinesia 4-Severe ON-OFF 5-Able to tolerate stable doses of meds for 2 wks. prior to,1 mo. afterwards 6-Supportive family 7-Approval by family doc to proceed 8-Unsatisfactory response and/or tolerance to conventional drug therapy-- consisting of L-Dopa,bromocriptine,anticholinergics,MAO-B inhibitors,or amantadine. In general, we have felt that Peter was "Type B" PD patient, with little tremor some balance problems,and frequent weakness. If so, this type is said to be less responsive to pallid. A post from Don Berns (3-27-95) cited "a good attitude" as a positive factor,along with others. This would seem to rule out someone like P. who is frequently depressed, and has increasing cognitive problems,bilateral disease,voice problems, etc. We could be wrong--and he did once say that if eligible he would have a pallidotomy! He is 76, which is also a factor, apparently. He does have the supportive family, and I'm wondering now if we've been too hasty in ruling out this option? Camilla Flintermann,CG for Peter,76/6+