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The brain controls the functions of our body. It, along with the spinal cord make up the nervous system and as we know, in PD, the problem starts in the brain, not other organs. Other organs and systems have been studied to determine how PD effects them. The significance of the recently donated brain of Florence Rifenberg is that scientists can now evaluate a healthy well functioning brain of a razor sharp 106 year old woman and determine the differences in much younger brains of people afflicted with PD, among other neurological ailments (Alzheimer’s, Huntington's, MS, CVA...etc., etc.). This donation may help scientists determine what lifestyle differences, what previous medical histories and what events may be a factor in whether someone gets a particular disease or not. It's one step closer.... Sincerely, Bonnie Cunningham, R.N. Patient Services Director National Parkinson Foundation ---------------------------------- Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 11:29:20 CDT From: Margaret Mates <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Brain donation I wonder why researchers check only brain tissue when dealing with PD and other neurological diseases. Why don't they correlate their findings on brain tissue with tissue from other organs.......especially liver tissue?