EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 4 PM ET, November 24, 2003
Tip Sheet for the November 25, 2003 Neurology Journal
St. Paul, Minn. -
RNA (“ribonucleomics”) gene slicing reveals mutations in McArdle patients The Human Genome Project confirmed that one gene controls many proteins. New types of mutations are being revealed, and this study looks at McArdle’s disease, an inherited disease in which abnormal amounts of glycogen accumulate in skeletal muscle resulting in weakness and cramping. An accompanying editorial “Echo of silence: Silent mutations, RNA splicing and neuromuscular diseases” makes the science of this paper understandable. Levodopa addiction in nonparkinsonian patients Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often crave their next dose of levodopa. This craving has been attributed to the severity of PD symptoms with loss of levodopa benefit. The study observed psychological and physiological symptoms - signs of addiction and withdrawal - in five people without PD who were weaned off levodopa. This suggests that levodopa can be very addictive, and could explain PD patients’ impatience with waiting for their next dose. Patient Page article A “Patient Page” article on Myasthenia Gravis and pregnancy is available for downloading at www.neurology.org.