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Becker G et al; Neur 1995;45:182-184: One might think the brain's bony case prevents imaging with the simple technique of ultrasound, but it turns out that acoustic windows make it possible. They compared PD patients with healthy controls, and found the substantia nigra in the PD group to be distinctly more reflective than normal. Berg D et al; Neur 1999;53:1026-1031: Extending their work reported 5 years ago (above), they checked a large number of apparently healthy subjects by ultrasound, and those subjects whose substantia nigra was more reflective were found by PET, MRI, and careful clinical examination to have signs of otherwise unseen latent PD. So, screening by transcranial ultrasound may provide effective and useful early warning. Cheers, Joe -- J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694 3527 Cody Road Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-5013