On Wed 21 May, MR JOHN C FAUS wrote:
> Brian:
>
>.... "acetylcholine, the chemical
> which induces Parkinson's symptoms when [Dopamine] levels in the
> brain are insufficient to restrain the influence of this
> [neurotransmitter]. " As for my comment that PD symptoms are
> manifested by the acetylcholine, that observation was basically
> lifted from Dr. Roger Duvoisin who noted in his book Parkinson's >
Disease: A Guide for Patient and Family : " It is believed that > dopamine
acts to restrain the acetylcholine nerve cells, and that in > parkinsonism,
the acetylcholine nerve cells are released from this > restraining
influence. Their unrestrained and consequently improperly > regulated
activity contributes in some manner to the various symptoms. > Drugs that
block or inhibit the action of acetylcholine tend to > ameliorate the
symptoms, where as drugs that act by enhancing or > imitating the action of
acetylcholine cause an increase in > parkinsonian symptoms." In effect,
dopamine is not the "cause of PD > symptoms", but it's depletion engenders
the symptoms brought on by > the "unrestrained" acetylcholine nerve cells.
> > Brian, please excuse my overzealous defense. It's probably a carry- >
over from my high school debate days. Take care. > > P.S. I don't know
where the "MR. JOHN C. FAUS" monicker came from..... > "Jack" is what I go
by normally. > > Hello Jack, Don't feel that I am 'getting at you', it's
just that you have introduced a new element into the account of how PD
tremor is generated, and I tend to get little aggressive in my pursuit of
the truth. So; don't take this personaly, OK? Now, to return to the debate:
PD symptoms manifest themselves when up to 90% of the Dopamine-producing
cells are dead. At this point, there is not sufficient dopamine to bathe
the appropriate synapse, which measn that the electrical impulse which is
the brain's signal to the muscles fails to cross the synapse, and the
message does not get through, or perhaps gets through in a weakened state.
That is the story as I understand it. You will note that acetylcholine
does not figure in the story, and it is this element, (which I have not
heard before) which I find interesting. Appart from its simplicity, which
I feel is always good for some plus points, I would have thought that the
anti-cholinergic drugs like Artane would have had a blockbusting effect on
PD, if your account were true, whereas in actual fact Artane is one of the
least effective of all the PD drugs. I look forward to your reply.
Meanwhile, I will check with some of my more knowledgeable contacts.
By the way, If you are serious when you say that you don't know where the
MR.JOHN C.FRAUS came from, try sending a message to the listserve computer
as below, and all will be revealed....
To: [log in to unmask]
SET PARKINSN REPRO
Don,t type any more. Do not enter a subject, and send it off
Regards
--
Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]>
