 |
 |
>From: Kent Gibson <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: GPI-1046 (Guilford Pharm) Neural Growth Factor Info? > >I am searching for more information on GPI-1046 - a very new >"neurotrophic factor" drug manufactured by Guilford Pharmaceuticals, >Baltimore. This new class of drug has been shown to "revive damadged >nerves and eliminate most symptoms of disease in laboratory animals with >Parkinson's-like symptoms." Article in the April 16,1997 Wall Street >Journal titled "Nerve Regenerating Drug May Help in Alzheimer's, >Parkinson's Diseases". Results were presented at a meeting of the >American chemical Society recently. > >Does anyone have furthur information regarding preliminary drug trials, >other studies, Journal references? > >Thanks, /s/ >Millard Tipp - NPF, S.California Kent, Try http://www.parkinson.org/cure.htm You can also access it through the "front door" of the National Parkinsons Foundation, Inc. webpage. First access http://www.parkinson.org/index.htm , then select "News Alert - Read Now: Updated 4/10/97" Allow me to "pile on" with some questions of my own: I would like to sidestep the whole discussion of the FDA and delays - be they justified or not. More interesting is the mention made a couple weeks ago of how the MPTP induced PD model in animals used in the GPI-1046 studies is less than ideal. As I understand it, MPTP destroys the part of the brain that PD does, which results in exactly the same symptoms. Are animals with such induced PD not an ideal model because the agent of destruction of that part of the brain in humans is usually not known and therefore the regeneration of nerves as observed in mice in GPI-1046 studies might not occur? What about the people who have PD because of exposure to MPTP by way of illegal drug use or other exposure? Should those folks be more hopeful of positive results shown in MPTP model studies? Also... somebody made mention that similar observations were made with another Parkinson drug that didn't end up with the incredible results that the promoters of GPI-1046 are broadcasting. Does anybody have specific info on those early studies and the path the drug had to take to get approval? It would be interesting to see a timeline that showed the original announcement of that drug - time for studies and approvals - and current effectiveness of the drug as it is now used. Finally... Thanks all for the responses to my "DAD/ITCHING/GPI-1046" message. - Bob