Jim wrote:
>>> Jim Slattery <[log in to unmask]> 01/28/98 05:37pm >>>
>Clinton last nite claimed " a gene has been found that
causes
>Parkinson." Fact or new lie?<
>>>A search of the Medline research paper database shows
no new gene links to PD. There was a familial gene
connection shown in one Italian study of one family, and
another is Spain. However, most of the /PD gene studies to
date (over 600) show no differences between PD sufferers
and non-PD controls.<<<
>>>Wishful thinking, or a 'white lie' to promote support for
the NIS appropriation bill?<<<
-----------------------------------------
Jim Slattery - [log in to unmask]
CW PD Web - [log in to unmask]
http://www.bec.net.au/~cwpdg/
------------------------------------------
Jim:
At the National Center for Human Gene Research
[NCHGR] a team led by Dr. Roger Duvoisin announced in
January 1997 that they had " . . .identified the gene
responsible for Parkinson's disease in the Contursi family. . "
in a study covering eleven generations of that family both in
Italy and America. This team also claimed they had found
the ". . . same gene . . . " in three other unrelated family
groups of Greek origin.
The disease may be caused by the absence of a protein
or the existence of a toxic protein called "alpha-synuclein."
The researchers caution that not all Parkinson's disease is
explained by this abnormal protein, probably only a small
portion of the family-related disease.
Now the researchers must establish a connection
between this abnormal protein and the death (apoptosis) of
brain cells.
Stephan 53/7
