Ecstacy Found To 'Curb Parkinston's Shaking'

Ananova ^ | 11-06-2002

[blam]

Ecstasy found to 'curb Parkinson's disease shaking'

Ecstasy is being hailed by scientists as the key to a breakthrough for Parkinson's sufferers.

Researchers testing the drug on monkeys have found it can dramatically curb the uncontrollable movements associated with the neurological disease, New Scientist magazine reports.

Parkinson's experts at the University of Manchester conducted the tests following a Panorama documentary that researched the dramatic effects of the drug on former stuntman Tim Lawrence.

His story won the attention of the nation after television pictures showed ecstasy (MDMA) enabling him to win control of his violent shaking for hours at a time, allowing him to walk, run and even somersault.

The Manchester researchers decided to follow up the case, using marmoset monkeys instead of humans for reasons of safety.

Parkinson's is caused by a loss of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain.

Since the late 1960s, doctors have treated it with L-dopa, a chemical precursor to dopamine that can "unfreeze" patients. Unfortunately, side-effects of this treatment include uncontrollable and repetitive body movement.

Six marmosets were given daily doses of L-dopa until they displayed these symptoms. The animals were then given MDMA. This dramatically resulted in the repetitive movements of their arms and legs being reduced by 85%.

Research team member Jonathon Brotchie, who now runs biotec company Motac, told New Scientist: "The magnitude and quality of the effect took us by surprise.

However, Robert Meadowcroft, policy director of Britain's Parkinson's Disease Society, is warning sufferers against trying ecstasy, branding the drug "impure, illegal and dangerous".

Story filed: 19:11 Wednesday 6th November 2002

[blam]

CURB, not cure.

[Lil'freeper]

There's got to be a Janet Reno's Dance Party joke here somewhere!

[aristeides]

I think nicotine also has this effect (as well as delaying the onset of both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's).

[csvset]

Pygmy Marmoset

[amused]

hmmmm.....I thought abuse of ecstasy actually caused a Parkinson's like Syndrome.

[Dinsdale]

This dramatically resulted in the repetitive movements of their arms and legs being reduced by 85%.

Has this guy ever been to a rave?

All they do is repetitive motion of the arms, legs and butts.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Reno will be ecstatic.

Soul Finger

[stuartcr]

So. I'm sure if you were in need of it, any relief would be appreciated. That's a pretty lousy attitude.

[Houmatt]

Good. Now we have the lying dopeheads saying another illicit drug helps people.

Now I want one guy, ONE to say this is not about legalizing drugs.

And I will slap you down like the lying dopehead loser you are.

[general_re]

Now we have the lying dopeheads saying another illicit drug helps people.

Who's the dopehead in this article, and what, specifically, is being lied about?

[Lil'freeper]

[meyer]

There's got to be a Janet Reno's Dance Party joke here somewhere!

First thing I thought of was ol' shakey Reno.

[Houmatt]

Who's the dopehead in this article, and what, specifically, is being lied about?

I said dopeheads.

And if you actually read the article, you would not be asking that question.

[Bobibutu]

MDMA does cause profound relaxaction - if one allows it to - i.e., just be still and experience it. I would submit that the reduction in metabolic rate has a connection to the shaking - not a cure - but a reduction in symptoms.

My grandmother suffered from Parkinsons for 19 years.. I have taken MDMA - not to RAVE - But to experience it in a quite setting - this article made me think and make the connection.

Guns and SUVs don't kill - people do - MDMA is not bad - some people misuse it.

[general_re]

I said dopeheads.

I know. Just one will do, though. You can start by pointing out which person in the article is a "lying dopehead", or by naming the person(s) you had in mind.

And if you actually read the article, you would not be asking that question.

I'll take that to mean you either can't or won't answer it.

[Houmatt]

Like I said, read the article.

All answers to your questions are there.

You must be a libertarian, huh?

I cannot think of any other reason why you would come to the defense of druggies so quickly.

And it's a damn shame there is no ignore function.

[general_re]

It's okay. Everyone spouts off and says a bit more than they can back up from time to time - it happens to the best of us, and I think most people will be willing to forgive you for speaking without knowing what you're talking about.

[Houmatt]

It's okay. Everyone spouts off and says a bit more than they can back up from time to time - it happens to the best of us, and I think most people will be willing to forgive you for speaking without knowing what you're talking about.

Exactly. That is why I feel so badly about going after you. You have no idea what you are talking about -- but that is to be expected, since all those drugs you have done over the years has left you the intellectual equivalent of a vegetable.

[general_re]

Is this really the best you can muster? I ask two simple questions and you have no answer at all except feeble attempts at insults? Am I supposed to be offended? Wounded? Upset?

Really, now - do try to grow up. I am afraid that people reading this thread are inevitably going to conclude that you're hopelessly out of your depth, when I'm sure you're just having a bad run here. Why not take a break, relax a bit, and come back when you're a bit more rational?

[Houmatt]

Is this really the best you can muster? I ask two simple questions and you have no answer at all except feeble attempts at insults? Am I supposed to be offended? Wounded? Upset?

You are obviously way too far gone to get it: I don't care if you are offended, wounded or upset.

I was very frank and specific in msg # 9:

Now I want one guy, ONE to say this is not about legalizing drugs.

Guess who comes to the plate, a mere six minutes later?

That says more about you than you would want anyone to know. And despite what you may be willing to believe, that is not something to be proud of.

Whatever point you may be trying to make, as you can see from how many comments have been made on this thread by others, nobody gives a flying fork. So move along. This subject is closed.