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Mary Thompson asked a question about the contents of her anti-oxidant cocktail which she is taking. I replied about being wary of Manganese, since it is known to cause PD, but I implied that I was not sure how much was considered bad or good....I doubt if anyone really knows... I guess if you were inhaling manganese ore dust all day and also adding manganese to your diet, then you may have a problem??? Thought others may be interested in the following two papers. One of the best I have seen on the topic which is titled "Manganism and idiopathic parkinsonism: similarities and differences" by D. B. Calne, W. Olanow et al, Neurology 1994: 44: 1583 -1586. The article reminds us of the many uses of manganese. In water purification, in Maneb, an organochemical fungicide, in the manufacture of steel, in the manufacture of dry batteries. In some countries as an antiknock agent in gasoline. In 1837, the first descriptions (by Couper) of "manganese ore crusher's disease" was described by Couper as a syndrome similar to PD. Calne describes, a "manganese madness" (not always seen), with motor deficits similar to PD (esp. bradykinesia and rigidity) but often including dystonia. And a particular "Cock walk" in which patients strut on their toes, with elbows flexed and the spine erect. There is also a propensity to fall backwards, Tremor is not a dominant sign. most often levodopa treatment is not successful. Exposure to manganese is obviously important but "Some uncommon sources of manganese have been reported, such as chronic accidental ingestion of potassium permanganate (Anyone remember soaking their feet in this before getting in public pools??) and excessive manganese intake through incorrect total parenteral (e.g.intravenous infusion or tube feeding) nutrition. The paper goes on to describe the different treatment regimes (not much of use...) and then the pathology of PD versus manganism. PET scanning is useful to differentiate between PD & Manganism. The second article is called "The Silent Scourge" by Alec Ross in EQUINOX No 60 Nov/Dec 1991) which details the work of a former associate professor of pharmacology at the U of Manitoba, John Donaldson, who (in the 1970's) proved that the presence of manganese in the brain could trigger the decline of dopamine. There are references to a few other Canadian researchers of note too. Joy Graham (CG Bob, 58, 8+ years)