Good questions, all. The Cogane trial is looking for 'de novo' patients only - early diagnosed NOT on meds yet. I wrote them and asked. If I fit the criteria, I'd jump at the chance for this one.

But I am not eligible for Cogane, so I'll see if I'm eligible for the GDNF trial.

As far as sham surgery - in the Ceregene trial, my thoughts: In principle i'm opposed to sham surgery, but am coming to see it as a 'necessary evil' for pwp if they have any intention of ever participating in US clinical trials. For pwp who refuse to participate in any trial with sham, this is not an issue.

If you get sham surgery:

1. if the trial fails, you haven't had invasive brain surgery
2. if it succeeds, you wait 2 years for the real treatment - BUT this will still be years ahead of the rest of pwp in the US waiting for FDA approval of a new treatment (plus waiting for approval of health care companies to approve payments for new brain surgery treatment)

Good luck to you,

Jean