Thanks for your analysis of abstracts Laura. I have posted similar messages a few times in the past. It is probably a good idea to repeat this message once in a while as several of us depend on PubMed for info.

I thought I would add a few points to Laura's message. There are a few things one can do to evaluate an abstract. Like everything in biology there are always exceptions to the rules!

Impact factor of the Journal. Generally high impact journals have solid papers that are comprehensive and data is reproducible and stands the test of time. Manuscripts go through peer review, usually 3 reviewers per paper. I think Pubmed has a link to impact factors of various journals.

Some of the low impact journals, do not even have peer review therefore whatever the author wants gets into the paper.

Prior history of the senior author, usually the last name on the abstract.
If the last authors' name brings in several papers on the same or similar topic, we can be assured that she/he knows the subject. It may not be mainstream and could be a controversial paper, at least there is a basis for their thinking

Time gap between the papers on the same subject. The last paper you see on topic X is in 1994 and if there are no other publications after that, I would take the conclusions of 1994 paper wiht a pinch of salt!

If you have the energy, getting the fulll length article and reading is the best!

I hope this information helps!

Girija




to simply feel better, it seems like we run across so very much contradictory research. I would say check with your neurologist-take in the citation from the Norwegian study and he or she will look into it for you. Keep in mind, we only see part of the picture as we're usually given abstract access only. Without the full study, it's hard to extrapolate this research study. It seems a rather small sample and it is only ONE study. Also, what were the ages of those in the study group. Did it primarily affect people with older onset PD or young too? What were the rates of decline in both age groups (if both were even measured)- is there any statistical validity to it? Lots of questions to ask before you get super upset. I know it is incredibly frustrating; I was thinking of trying Amantadine as part of new treatment regimen but am also now fearful. Keep in mind that much of neurology thought that levodopa was toxic to us in the sense that it fostered cell death. It has been proven that this is not the case.

Hang in there!

Laura[/QUOTE]