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Dear Friends, We had a good turn-out for the symposium, I estimate that the conference hall was about 90% full. The symposium was moderated by Paula Goldberg, R.N., Coordinator for the Parkinson’s Disease Center at Johns Hopkins. The topics and presenters were: a. Treatment of PD - Past, Present, and Future (George Paulson, M.D.) b. PD - A Look Backwards (Stephen Reich, M.D.) c. Current Ideas About the Cause of PD (Ted Dawson, M.D., Ph.D.) d. Autonomic Dysfunction in PD (Ted George, M.D., Ph.D.) e. The Gifts of Aging (Leslie Gibson, R.N., B.S.) Additionally there were remarks by Sally Thorner, News Anchor, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, whose mother and uncle have PD. She has been a PD activist for many years and has been our media contact. There was also a panel of six PWP, five of whom had been on a panel at the last symposium in 1994 where they discussed how PD affected their lives. They now discussed changes which had occurred in the last two years. It was also a nice time for visiting with those I hadn’t seen since the last symposium. Will Johnson, a frequent contributor to the list, was there. In fact, he will probably have his own report to give. Finally, before Will beats me to it, I will tell about my own humble contribution to the proceedings. The presentation by Leslie Gibson dealt primarily with the therapeutic effect of laughter and she asked for a volunteer. Since my fear of public performance disappeared with the noticeable onset of my PD symptoms I took the challenge. She essentially needed me to hold the microphone for her while she demonstrated a few magic tricks, but being one to not pass up an opportunity I asked her if I could relate a personal experience and she agreed. We had been on break just prior to her presentation and many people were using the restrooms. The elderly gentleman using the urinal next to me was having extreme difficulty with his clothing. I could readily sympathize with him since I have the same problem when my meds are off. This brought to mind my most frustrating experience with this problem. I had gotten my pants unzipped and pulled up my undershirt but just could not find the opening to my boxer shorts. Usually they would be slightly twisted so I would have to struggle to get them straightened out, but this time I just could not find the opening. After several very frustrating minutes I shuffled into a stall and just pulled my pants down. That is when I discovered that I had my shorts on backwards! One bit of information presented during the symposium confirmed something that I had observed myself. A recent study shows that PWP are less responsive to their medication in the late afternoon (no cause was hypothesized). That explained why I would be one hundred per in the morning, early afternoon, and late evening and yet go off the late afternoon and early evening even though I was taking my meds at regular intervals. (Dr. Reich, who is my neurologist, said I could try taking an extra dose of Sinemet CR in the afternoon.) All in all, the symposium was time well spent. Bruce 55/8 Sinemet CR and Pramipexole (clinical trial) I think therefor I am - Descartes I think I am - Nietzsche I am because I choose to be - me