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Bruce, It's easy to feel discouraged and human nature to guard against the possibility of things not working out. The only thing that I know without a doubt is that Udall will NEVER HAPPEN without our efforts and the possibility of things not working out will be greater then. At the PAN Forum in June, we listened to scientists who believe we have real reason to hope. I am reposting "Routes to a Cure" in two parts, so look for Part 2 to follow. Part 1 will be below. Barb Brock The Routes to a Cure. . . The symptoms of Parkinson's disease, or Parkinsonism (PD), result from the degeneration of nerve cells in the mid-brain, and the corresponding loss of the neurotransmitting chemical dopamine produced by those cells. Conventional treatments revolve around pharmaceutical substitutes for dopamine (such as L- dopa) and drugs that temporarily enhance the cell's dopamine production. Such measures lose their effectiveness as more cells are lost; so a true Parkinson's cure requires finding ways of stopping cell degeneration, and replacing damaged cells with healthy, viable ones. . . or nurturing those cells back to life. Among the more promising areas of research: Genetic and Environmental Research Researchers have identified and mapped one gene, for the protein alpha synuclein, which is linked to a small number of Parkinson's cases: where the gene is flawed, Parkinson's occurs. While only a few families are affected, the discovery suggests a genetic link to at least some Parkinson 's cases. Scientists expect to discover other genes linked in a similar way to the disorder. This information may begin to identify people at risk. As important, scientists predict that this information will help uncover the complicated matrix of elements -- partially genetic susceptibility, particularly outside "triggers" such as environmental toxins -- that result in dopamine cell death and Parkinson 's symptoms. Neural Cell Transplants Researchers have implanted neural tissue into the degenerated area of the brain and proven that the new cells can thrive and renew production of dopamine. Dramatic results have been achieved in clinical studies, and the requirements for a prototype therapy are being developed through continuing animal and human clinical tests. Meanwhile, development of unlimited cell sources is well underway. Progenitor cells, which divide in culture -- producing a continuous source of cells -- and then are "coaxed" to naturally develop into the desired neurons, are close to development. Also, mid-study analysis of a clinical trial using porcine (pig) neural cells and cow neural cells indicates those cells are replicating the benefits of human cells, in relieving the rigidity and uncontrolled movement associated with Parkinson's. Neurotrophic Proteins Researchers are identifying a growing number of proteins that function to nurture nerve cells, and even appear to restore life to "dead" cells. Although "nerve growth factor" and similar proteins are relevant to many neurological diseases, at least one protein has been directly linked to the survivability of dopamine cells. Clinical trials are currently under way to determine the safety and effectiveness of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in humans, and "viral vector" technology is being employed to develop effective, non-invasive means to deliver them into the brain.