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Camilla, I too watched the fascinating show, and wondered the same thing. As I understand it, the BBB is not as impenetrable as they implied (e.g., levodopa gets through, as do all needed nutrients, but dopamine doesn't). I think it has something to do with the size of the molecules, and whether they are fat-soluble or water-soluble. BTW, carboplatin, like other chemotherapy drugs, is basically a powerful poison which is dosed on the borderline between killing the tumor and killing the patient, and usually accompanied by severe side effects which the show didn't mention. Cheers, Joe J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks CA 91403 On Thu, 23 May 1996, Camilla Flintermann wrote: > Tonight on Public Broadcasting System there was a program on the "New > Explorers" series, which covers scientific discoveries. It featured a > neurosurgeon/scientist ,Dr. Keith Black, who has apparently found a way to > get through the netwoork of capillaries in the brain, the BBB, and "open" > it briefly so a substance can be injected into a brain tumor. Not only > was this fascinating in itself, but this was the first time I really knew > what the BBB is, after hearing so much about it in connection with PD and > problems of delivering our meds. I wonder, of course, whether this breakthrou > gh will have any possible significance in relation to PD? If anyone has any > info on the subject, please post it. The BBB is the brain's defense > against toxins, etc., but also prevents the tumor-zapping drugs from reach- > ing the tumor--hence the importance of Dr. Black's discovery, which is now > going into phase 2 trials, apparently, since the safetyphase is past, and there > seems to be evidence the tumors are reached in this way. The substance > that Dr.Black used is called RMP-7, BTW. Could this have any possible > PD application, I wonder?Deliver dopa to the sub.nigra??? > Camilla Flintermann,CG for Peter,78/6+ Oxford,OH >