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Current Science Reviews by Joe Bruman (part 3 of 4) Hely M et al; J Neur Neurosurg Psy 1996:60:531-538: Diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) looks like PD at first but also includes dementia, either at onset or later in progression. Luft-Johansen M et al; J Neur Neurosurg Psy 1996;60:564-571: Fifty thalamotomy subjects had some cognitive impairment compared to healthy controls, but the thalamotomy didn't reduce it further. Pramstaller P, Lees A; J Neur Neurosurg Psy 1996;60:589: Patient who developed PD 42 years after childhood encephalitis also showed some symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Damier P et al; Neur 1996;46:1262-1269: Although MAO-B may convert MPTP into the toxin MPP, its presence in dopaminergic neurons (studied by immunohistochemistry) doesn't contribute to vulnerability in PD. Moreover, it might even protect against oxidative stress induced by dopamine metabolism. Morens D et al; Neur 1996;46:1270-1274: In 30-yr study of 8006 elderly men, authors found some protection against PD from eating legumes (peas, beans) but not from Vitamin E supplements. Seidler A et al; Neur 1996;46:1275-1284: Authors studied 380 rural German PD patients and 379 controls for risks of various factors, finding some correlation with pesticides and wood preservatives but not with others. They also found significant familial connections in the PD group, and inverse correlation with smoking. Barclay C et al; Neur 1996;1284-1286: Authors tried electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in 5 PSP patients and found dramatic improvement in one, mild improvement in two, and no improvement in two. All five had transient confusion but no permanent side effects. Tedroff J et al; Neur 1996;46:1430-1436: Authors used PET to measure levodopa-induced changes in synaptic dopamine in 10 PD patients. They speculate that the levodopa-related complications of advanced PD are due to excessive amine turnover in the denervated striatum. Papa S, Chase T; Ann Neur 1996;39:574-578: The experimental glutamate antagonist LY235959 in MPTP monkeys seems to potentiate the effects of levodopa on PD symptoms while reducing the dyskinesia complications. J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks CA 91403