http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0502112933.htm

...Dr. Lev has now developed a peptide which mimics DJ-1's normal function, thereby protecting dopamine-producing neurons. What's more, the peptide can be easily delivered by daily injections or absorbed into the skin through an adhesive patch...

...Preliminary tests indicate that the peptide is a viable treatment option. Though many peptides have a short life span and degrade quickly, this peptide does not. Additionally, it provides a safe treatment option because peptides are organic to the body itself...

...According to Dr. Lev, this peptide could fill a gap in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. "Current treatments are lacking because they can only address symptoms -- there is nothing that can change or halt the disease," she says. "Until now, we have lacked tools for neuroprotection."...

This article is really stretching the truth. I cannot believe the spin the scientists have put on this. What they fail to mention is that DJ-1 is only one of several gene mutations associated with YOPD. How in the world cant they extrapolate that to cover all Young Onset cases? What they really mean to say is that it may halt progression in some forms of genetic PD. To me, all they are doing is confirming they that there are many different causes of PD yet they continue to sell us on the notion that there is one magical treatment for all of us.

They hint at the truth in the last paragraph:

In some cases, Parkinson's can be diagnosed before motor symptoms begin with the help of brain scans, explains Dr. Lev, and patients who have a genetic link to the disease might opt for early testing.

Laura