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Hilary and Michel, Of course you are right; and this is said by one who has had both a pallidotomy and DBS. They are based on what Lewis Thomas calls 'halfway technologies', i.e. they provide superior symptom management without effecting a cure. We know that pallidotomy and DBS work, but we don't know how or why? If that is the case, why did I have surgery not once, but twice? Because if I did not, the alternative was incarceration in a chronic care institution within six months - I was in the 90th percentile of PD patients pre-surgery. I would likely be dead by now. I took a chance, a smart risk, that surgery would work, and it did! I have seen cases where it hasn't, and they are tragedies. On the matter of affordability, we do not have the spectre of 'cash register medicine' in Canada; rather the dubious privilege of having 'Big Brother', in the form of government run health plans, watching over us. Make no mistake, I am opposed to access by cheque. i think your faith in a universal cure is a bit misplaced. PD will likely be found to be a cluster of similar conditions with each one having unique characteristics. And it will be the uniqueness that stymies the researchers. Basic research remains the only answer; that is why I've raised over $40,000 in the Toronto SuperWalk for Parkinson's over the last six years Bill --- --Original Message----- From: Hilary Blue <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sunday, September 26, 1999 11:48 PM Subject: Re: Idle thoughts.... >Michel, > >your words speak my thoughts! > >Hilary > >Michel Margosis wrote: >> >> I have not heard anyone ever express thoughts on the finality of >> surgical therapy in PD. I am convinced that basic research is by far >> much more important than surgical centers. Surgery has been proven to >> be very good palliatives which can last from a few months to a few >> years and sometimes even longer. SBut, surgery does not cure and the >> disease still persists, and sometimes when surgery is ineffectual it may >> even adversely affect the PWP. >> Pallidotomy changes the characteristics of the brain itself by a careful >> 'searing' of the pallidum, and once that is done, it is irreversible. >> When, not if, but When a cure is found, the natural biological synthesis >> of L-dopamine will be resumed assuming the brain is still functioning in >> a natural manner. If the alteration of the pallidum interferes with the >> natural function of the brain, the cure for those who had incurred the >> pallidotomy may not be available. Emotionally, I can strongly >> sympathize with those PWP who want relief from the misery of tremors and >> dyskinesia. Yet, surgery is still only a relief or a reprieve for some. >> >> Basic research is the only avenue that can achieve the cure to end the >> misery of PD. When the cure is found, it will be universal, that is for >> all PWP, instead of those who can afford temporary relief by surgery. >> My money and faith is totally in basic research, be it in foetal >> transplants inter or intra species, recombinant DNA (genetic >> manipulation), and foremost at this time is the most promising of all is >> with stem cells. >> >> Keep the faith, a cure is coming for sure, and I wish us to be young >> enough to avail ourselves of it. >> >> Michel Margosis >