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Amgen, Inc. of Thousand Oaks, CA announced Monday that it has begun the first human clinical trials of GDNF (Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which offers hope of reversing the cause of Parkinsondevelopment, where it seems to stimulate the growth and connection of nerve cells, and preliminary tests on rats and monkeys were promising. For therapy of PD it will be delivered directly to the affected areas of the brain, presumably by means of stereotactic surgery. The first trials on about 100 patients for 12 to 15 months are to establish safety. The following phase will measure effectiveness and the final, much larger trial, will be to confirm the results. Typically this series of trials and approvals takes 5 to 10 years. Cheers, Joe J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks CA 91403