Hey Carolyn -

I just learned today about your participation in this trial. I am so thankful for your bravery on behalf of all of us. I am not so brave. Not only would I not offer myself up for experimental brain surgery because of fear that I would be receiving the sham - my fear would also keep me away from the real thing! There is also a risk from the treatment itself. I am not willing to take that risk; I am grateful for those who do. I agree with Howard - this is the new frontier. All clinical trials participants are pioneers.

Sham surgery is a necessary risk for informed patients under our current system - it's those who actually receive the surgery plus treatment who are putting themselves at the most risk.

Is there really a movement now underway in the scientific community to abandon sham surgery in favor of another control protocol? Or is this question being asked to get information to improve the informed consent process?

I think any advocacy effort made to make sure the informed consent process is as thorough and secure as possible is time well spent. My thanks to those of you who are so involved.