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To: floriduh voter
I think this is what you were talking about, with Reno. This article is now linked on Drudge:

Michael J. Fox part of Parkinson's 'cluster'

By ALLISON LAWLOR

Globe and Mail Update and Canadian Press

Thursday, March 21 – Online Edition, Posted at 8:33 PM EST

B.C. native Michael J. Fox is one of four people who worked on a sitcom filmed in Vancouver in the late 1970s who were later diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, according to a documentary to be aired on CTV next month.

The documentary, which will air on April 7, raises questions about whether it is coincidental that four cast and crew members of the CBC sitcom Leo & Me were later diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Neurologists studying the disease have theories that exposure to viral infections or environmental toxins can trigger Parkinson's several years later. Donald Calne, director of the Neurodegenerative Disorders Centre at the University of British Columbia Hospital, said some studies point to a relation between the disease and environmental factors but added that more studies need to be done.

"For most patients environment plays a larger role [than genetics]," Dr. Calne told globeandmail.com Thursday.

Dr. Calne said two of his patients, whom he has been seeing for several years, worked with the Canadian-born actor.


Dr. Calne said epidemiological studies have found that there is an increased risk of the 'clusters' of the disease among certain occupations such as teachers, medical workers, loggers and miners.

These are people who either live and work in close proximity to one another or are in environments where they are more exposed to viral infections, he said.

The same studies also found less risk among people who spent more of their time at home.

Dr. Calne said only a small number of people with Parkinson's have a family history of the disease and the genetic forms of the disease are "extremely rare."

"The environment is most important for most patients," he said.

Mr. Fox appears in the TV documentary visibly shaking and talks about the disease's effect on his life. He said there are things he can no longer do.


Mr. Fox, who now devotes much of his time to fundraising for Parkinson's research, also said he is confident scientists will soon achieve a breakthrough in treating the disease.
Copyright © 2002 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
7 posted on 03/24/2002 10:53:25 AM PST by summer
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To: summer
Mr. Fox, who now devotes much of his time to fundraising for Parkinson's research, also said he is confident scientists will soon achieve a breakthrough in treating the disease.

A big bump for Governor Jeb Bush and the return to equal rights under the law, but I am confused by this reference to Parkinson's disease and FV, since I do not see a post by him or references to the disease or Reno other than the graphic of her.

22 posted on 03/24/2002 1:14:35 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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