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
