Part II of my subjective summary of the symposium -- Dr. Dee Silver concluded his presentation by describing how such drugs as Eldepryl, Sinemet, Parlodel, Permax, etc., were used, but observed that some PD symptoms are unresponsive to levodopa treatment. The ones he noted were: Postural instability Freezing Speech abnormalities Mental changes (dementia, depression) Autonomic nervous system obstruction ( constipation, sex, urinary problems) Sensory features Using the fact that not all aspects of PD were currently being well-treated, Dr. Silver observed the need for new research and new ways to treat PD. Speaking to the area of research, Dr. William Tatton, M.D., PhD., from the Department of Neurosciences, Dalhousie University, spoke for about 15 minutes on current research that might be the basis for treatment 5 to 10 years from now. His detailed and technical presentation (accompanied with slides) was difficult for some to follow. He did, indeed, speak about things mysterious to me, such as amino acids, lipids, oxidative radicals, cell dna, electrons, mitochondria, etc. But, his main point was quite clear and specific about the current direction of research. If my observation is correct his thesis is that future treatment of PD will concentrate not on replacing dopamine in the basal ganglia but on rescuing the cells that produce dopamine and put them back to normal production. Tatton started his talk with the well-known observation that PD is the result of the death of nerve cells. No one knows why. Nor do we know what causes PD, though most scientists accept the so-called 'Double Hit' theory that PD is the product of inherited genetic tendency and environmental contact with an environmental toxin. It was formerly believed that dopamine cells died from a quick burning up process known as necrosis. Now, however, with advances in DNA, scientists believe that dopamine cells die from a slow, more natural process known as apoptosis. Because apoptosis is a slower, extended process over time, it is hoped that medical science can get in and stop it. DNA is opening the door, revealing that within every cell there are proteins that determine apoptosis. Deprenyl is one of two drugs that has been shown in laboratory experiments to block or reduce apoptosis. Neuroscientists are learning how to develop drugs that will turn on production of proteins so that cells can arm themselves against the damage that causes PD; learning to RESCUE the cells that produce dopamine. Dr. Tatton then introduced the third presenter, DR. C. Warren Olanow of Mt.Sinai, New York. -------------------- Sid Roberts 66/dx2 [log in to unmask] Youngstown, Ohio