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The following would at least be consistent with your thinking.


1. J Neural Transm Suppl. 2006;(71):229-36.

Impact of selenium, iron, copper and zinc in on/off Parkinson's patients on
L-dopa therapy.

Qureshi GA, Qureshi AA, Memon SA, Parvez SH.

Medical Research Center, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences,
Jamshoro, Pakistan. ghulamali48@hotmail.com

We have quantitated CSF and serum levels of Selenium, iron, copper and zinc by
Atomic absorption spectrophotometer in 36 patients with parkinson's disease all
on L-dopa therapy. Out of these 19 showed on or positive response to L-dopa where
as 21 patients showed on and off response. These data were compared with 21
healthy controls. The results showed that serum levels of iron, copper and zinc
remained unchanged where as in CSF, significant decrease in zinc was found in
both on and on/off PD patients indicating the deficiency of zinc which continues
in the worsening clinical condition of off patients. The level of copper remained
unchanged in both on and on/off PD patients. Iron and selenium increase in CSF of
both patients which is a clear evidence of relationship between increased iron
and selenium level in brain which could be correlated with decrease in dopamine
levels and oxidative stress in PD Patients.

PMID: 17447433 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]