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Just want to let everyone know about the get together at Columbia Presbyterian in New York City on Sunday afternoon, July 11th. It was for all the people who are participating in Drs Freed and Fahn's fetal transplant study. Finally, after being cautioned against talking with each other before the results were released we were invited to get together to meet and hear the latest results. Although the results in general seem to be better for those under age 60 they did speak of good results happening for the over 60 group but at a slower rate. One 75 year old man experienced very good results they said. Interesting and encouraging news. . . .. 1. Out of 19 who received the 'right' surgery the first time 1 person is off meds altogether and 3 are taking very small amounts now. 2. The greatest improvements occur at the 12 - 18 month post op time and continue from there. 3. Increased dyskinesia seems to be a common complaint for post op people and Dr, Freed feels this may be due to implanting too much tissue, which would mean that instead of using the cells from 4 fetuses, the cells from only one or two would be needed. 4. Dr. Freed said he had hoped this surgery would be the answer to pd. Instead of feeling that his hopes for a medical miracle weren't realized, he knows that so much valuable information has been obtained and is already been used for future research. 5. PET scans show that all tranpslanted cells DID grow in the recipient's brain. Why they work better in some than in others is a good question and will hopefully be the basis for one of the next studies. I had the opportunity to see the doctors and nurses who have worked so hard to make this study work. They are dedicated, caring and wonderful people who only want to see pd ended. I have the utmost respect for them and always will. I say Thank you to them every time I get out of bed by myself, turn over in bed ALL BY MYSELF and accomplish those little things taken for granted by so many. Lynda