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Current Science Reviews by Joe Bruman March 1996 Monastruc J et al; Lancet 20 Jan 1996:196: Authors question an earlier claim that bromocryptine (Parlodel) has a neuroprotective effect in PD. They point out the difficulty in distin- guishing true neuroprotection from symptomatic relief, mentioning the disputed DATATOP study and the ongoing debate over selegiline (Eldepryl). Science: 16 Feb 1996:909 (news item): Neurons communicate by means of dopamine, which is released by the axon of one cell, and traverses a gap or synapse to a receptor on the next cell in line. The supply of dopamine in the synapse is regulated by a special protein called the dopamine transporter, which absorbs the excess and returns it to the axon for re-use. Researchers have bred a strain of mice which lack the transporter and consequently are hyperactive because their synapses contain excess dopamine. They are using these mice to study the mechanism of drug addiction, but the imbalance of synaptic dopamine also has possible relevance to understanding and treatment of PD. Parkinson Study Group; Ann Neur 1996;39:29-36: Reviewing data from the DATATOP study, authors found that Eldepryl eased PD symptoms at first and delayed need for levodopa, but the initial benefit didn't last. Corcos D et al; Ann Neur 1996;39:79-88: Authors measured arm strength and found an asymmetric distribution of muscle weakness in PD, correlated with changes in clinical status. Bocola V et al; J Neur Neurosurg Psych 1996;60:213-216: Some neuroleptic drugs cause reversible parkinsonism. In MRI studies of 20 patients, authors found that symptom persistence after withdrawal of the neuroleptic depended on the age of the patient. Science News; 17 Feb 1996:101 (news item): The substantia nigra in rats and humans enables judgement of short time intervals (seconds to a few hours). When the substantia nigra is damaged in rats, or in humans with PD, the ability is impaired but can be restored by administration of L-dopa. Tandberg E et al; Arch Neur 1996;53:175-179: In 245 Norwegian PD patients, 5% were moderately to severely depressed, while another 45.5% were mildly depressed. Miwa H et al; Neur 1996;46:75-79: Injury to the thalamus is confirmed as source of resting and postural tremor. J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks CA 91403