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Here's, FWIW, my very subjective view of the highlights of the NPF symposium held this a.m. in Kansas City. Emilio Alonso-Mendoza gave a very moving welcoming address, telling us how his (admittedly brief and limited) caregiving for his mother had enriched his life. He also was still "high" from the very positive events in D.C. last night! Dr. William Koller spoke on meds. He said sinemet is still the gold standard, but is very optimistic about the improvements possible with ropinerole and pramexipole, fully tested, and eagerly awaited by us all. Some new drugs in the dopamine transport inhibitor and neurotropic growth factor categories are entering phase III testing. Very preliminary work is being done on immunosuppresants and glutamine blockers. Dr. Koller was critical of the media for reporting on research that is no where near ready for human testing as though it would be available momentarily. Dr. Steven Wilkinson spoke on surgeries: thalamotomy & thalamotic stimulation, pallidotomy and pallidial (yikes, the spelling -- sorry) stimulation. Because of very real risks with all of these procedures, the KU team seems to be very conservative in okaying them for individual patients, preferring that the benefits from meds first be essentially exhausted, for instance. Studies to show whether surgery has a neuroprotective effect could change this attitude in the future. In Q&A, Dr Koller said it looked like the surgery on 20/20 was "sub-thalamic stimulation" (I sure hope i got that right) which is under study here; KU has done 10 and just got permission for 10 more. Speaking of neuroprotective, someone said that the profession is now leaning away from the idea that eldepryl, along with "helping" sinemet, is also neuroprotective. Susan Imke, formerly with Dr. Lieberman, now with NPF, gave a wide-ranging, humorous, fact-filled talk. She suggested that all PWP's list demerol as a drug allergy (even if that's a little white lie) because those red stickers are NOTICED. She put up a slide of drug no-no's that I didn't get quite all of; it included haldol, reglan, neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and one or two more. I had to get back to work before the last speaker, Matthew Green of the Parkinson's Outreach Program, but I picked up some info. They offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy, also social services, all geared toward PWP. They are currently located in the Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Houston areas, plus Lubbock, TX, 16 sites in Florida, and more on the way. They are endorsed by the NPF, FWIW. 1-800-243-3333. I noticed someone from the local PD Assn videotaping the proceedings.... Oh, and last but NOT least -- during the continental breakfast before the event started, I left bright orange flyers and spoke to people at each table about the Udall Bill and how easy it is to call 1-800-962-3524 to reach any senator or congressman. I hope that our efforts won't flag because of yesterday's Ali-induced euphoria! Mary Rack cg for mom louise (75/6) [log in to unmask]