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MSG? OK! OK! My thanks to Barb Mallut, Charlie, Jackie, Joan, Michel (did I miss anyone?) for the cornucopia of info about monosodium glutamate (MSG), the once-popular "Chinese food" condiment. I'll try to summarize: MSG does indeed act within the brain, but as a flavor enhancer, not like those other glutamates in the brain that are suspected of causing movement disorders. MSG occurs naturally in some foods, but in a few sensitive people may have unpleasant effects such as headache. Hence, while not actually verboten by the FDA, MSG as an additive has fallen from favor. In particular Barb, the erstwhile Bill Gates minion, says the Chinese place where we recently dined with some other parkies no longer uses "MSN". Zounds Barb! Does that mean those wily inscrutable orientals may start insinuating big MACS into their cuisine? Anyway, researchers who suspect that those brain glutamates may be involved in movement disorders have been testing glutamate antagonists on animals, and finding that they do relieve some symptoms of artificially-induced PD. The problem is, known glutamate antagonists so far are either weak (Amantadine) or have too many adverse side effects, so they are looking for better ones. Coincidentally Ted Robinson, one of the parkies that evening at the restaurant, is one subject in a controlled trial of remacemide, the first of such antagonists to reach the human trial stage. Since we don't know whether Ted is getting drug or placebo, it's too soon to report any results. Cheers, Joe J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013