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On Tue 07 Jan, Lawrence J. Reynolds wrote: > I am new to the parkinsn list, a PD veteran of 6+ years, & a volunteer > for the Amgen GDNF clinical trials which are being conducted at 6 sites > (5 in US & 1 in Canada) In animal studies GDNF showed great promise in > increasing the number & size of dopamine brain cells. 48 volunteers > will be involved in the study - 8 at each site. the study is divided > into 4 groups (called "cohorts") 12 people per cohort, 2 at each site. > Cohorts 1 & 2 are underway. I will be in cohort 3 which begins sometime > after Mar. 4 if all goes well. Each cohort receives a higher dosage of > GDNF (25% received a placebo) This is a "phase 1 1/2" study, the primary > purpose being to test the safety & tolerability of the substance so the > amount of GDNF being injected is relatively small. I have gathered > quite a bit of info. & will be happy to share using this forum if there > is a lot of interest. however this will require many keystrokes fr. > fingers not as cunning as they once were. If Joy is the only one > needing details, perhaps a snail-mail package directly to her will do. > KEEP IN MIND: GDNF must be injected directly into the brain; a permanent > ICV port & catheter has to be surgically implanted in the patient's > head. > > Hello Lawrence Re: Your account of the GDNF trials - I think you underestimate the interest that is generated by an account of these pioneering projects 'straight from the horse's mouth' so to speak. I do understand and sympathise with you at the amount of typing that this may involve, but if you can find the time to send an account to the list, I am sure that it will be warmly welcomed. It seems to me that it takes a certain type of courage to participate in such a new and untried technique, and without such people the researchers would be severely handicapped. Be sure that I will be thinking of you and wishing you well in the future, and I hope to hear from you when you have more news. -- Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]>