Ok - new thread - important topic. Many people post here & many more lurk.

Fact: In order to get a new treatment through the drug approval process, it must include clinical trials on humans.

Fact: There are clinical trials for all stages of PD and for many symptoms. There are trials for early stage PD and trials for late stage PD. (Fewer for the middle ground...)

Fact: There are trials for symptoms of PD, for example: depression, restless leg syndrome, hallucinations, etc etc.

Fact: Fewer than 1% of pwp participate in clinical trials. Because researchers have trouble finding participants, this increases the time it takes new drugs to get through the clinical trial process (and to your drugstore).

Fact: There are information websites that will answer many questions about participatingin clinical trials. Two that I know of are:
http://www.ciscrp.org/
http://www.pdpipeline.org/

And websites listing trials in the U.S. are:
http://www.pdtrials.org/
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/


My story: Seven months after my diagnosis, I joined a clinical trial. I was in it for two years - unfortunately it failed. But it provided scientists with valuable data. And it enabled me to participate in four other trials (two ongoing).

Why I work to promote clinical trials: I don't think the system is perfect, but it's the only on we've got, so I support it by participating in trials and by speaking to support groups about participating in clinical trials. Some people believe the system is so flawed they won't participate. That saddens me, but don't let that hold anyone back from posting your feelings on this thread! Maybe you'll sway someone to your point - or maybe I will, but let's discuss it.

Let's discuss this important topic.

most sincerely,