Hi Brian,
As I understand it your argument against the use of eldepryl is:
1. PD occures because in the first place, a single,
catostrophic, event reduces the number of
dopamine producing cells. Subsequntly natural
attrition further reduces the remaining cells to less
than 20% of the original number of cells. At this point
PD symptoms manifest themselves. (If you can have
plethora I can have manifest).
2. Eldepryl is used to 'protect' the cells against the
onslaught of the once-in-a lifetime event, which
has already occurred prior to the onset of PD.
3. There is no point protecting oneself against some-
thing which has already happened. So why take
Eldepryl.
Your reasoning is sound but I query some of your premises:
1. You assume the 'single catastrophic event' causes
the loss of a large number of cells at the time of the
event. Even if the single event hypothesis proves
true (and like yourself I am drawn to it), it is still far
from certain whether it does its damage at the time
or is the trigger which accelerates the normal
process of apoptosis. Either way the progressive
nature of PD is the result of the continued apoptosis
of dopamine producing cells and it is this continuing
action that Eldepryl addresses (see next point).
2. Your argument appears to assume that the action of
Eldpryl is to protect the cells and prevent the first
'one off' lose. My understanding however is that
Eldepryl slows the progression of the disease, reducing
the rate of apoptosis.
Qu. Why do I take eldpryl?
Answer: Because there is an informed body of opinion which
believes that it significantly reduces the rate at which
PD advances.
Having only 10-20% of our original cell allocation when
we are diagnosed makes it imperative to reduce the rate
at which they are dying. This is true if the rate is normal,
and even more so if the rate is accelerated.
Dennis.
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Dennis Greene 47/10
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http://members.networx.net.au/~dennisg/
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