As far as I can tell, Madeleine and Ron are both correct. Ron is hoping that Isradipine decreases permeability of the BBB, which according to his theory, would slow the disease, and is desirable. yes? no?

Perhaps Madeleine is thinking decreased permeability means the drug cannot get thru? It seems that isn't the problem, keeping other toxins out is.

paula

Jean, do you have high blood pressure? I'm wondering what would happen to a person who took isradipine and didn't have high blood pressure. Would their normal BP drop down into the abnormally low zone? This stuff is already approved for prescription, so no waiting like for cogane.

I've assumed since diagnosis that there was no hope for a cure for me because stem cell and gene therapy were basically pipe dreams that were entertaining far too many researchers with little hope of there being wide spread access to it. Now.....maybe a 1% hope? I guess researchers like to wait until there's a big conference like the one in Istanbul to release their findings.

Wendy - Yes I have high BP, so it was easy for my neurologist to agree to prescribe isradipine for me.

there are 2 threads on this same subject - here is info from the other thread.

My PD meds:

Isradipine 2.5mg capsule 2X day
Mirapex .25mg 2X day
Stalevo 100 2X day
Azilect 1.0 1X day

=========

I do have mild hypertension. So after i heard about this at the PAN Forum in February, I contacted my neurologist (a lovely and caring person). I sent her the info and asked her if she would prescribe this for me. She said she would.

I've been taking it about 2 months now. No cure for me yet (though - i am ever hopeful). No change in my symptoms. My other meds remain the same.

This is not in clinical trial - just one parkie with mild hypertension hoping that this will work for her like it works on rats! I'm going to stick with this for a year.

I guess you could say I'm taking it off label for PD but 'as directed' for hypertension. I do not know how it would affect someone who does not have hypertension.

Hello Paula, I must have misunderstood the posts; I thought the discussion was that an increase in BBB permeability was part of the mechanism of action of this anti-hypertensive drug?? blocking Calcium movement into and out of the cell could impact many actions within the cell, though i am unsure what that has to do with BBB permeability. since the operative thesis is that toxins breached the BBB and resulted in neuro inflammatory processes starting the cascade of events leading to PD, I am unable to connect use of this drug or metatonic with BBB permeability.....and I am becoming more confused as I type this reply. perhaps I am just confused tonite and will allow this a rest......
and Jean--congrats on your new white rat status....
madelyn

I think Ron (who I am sure will come in and answer this better than I am), is just wondering separately how this drug fits with his BBB theory. It is not part of this study.

my guess,
paula

Madelyn,

I am an "OLD" white rat -- officially in several clinical trials & unofficially in using isradipine plus a multitude of supplements.

If something works, will i be able to figure out just what it was that I took? LOL I won't care - just let me stumble onto something that helps beat this disease...

Best,

Olsen,
Paula has got it right, increased prmeability is bad, it allows neurotoxins which circulate harmlessly in the bloodstream of a normal person, to enter our brains. This drug blocks calcium by another mechanism.
Geraldo,
The drug taken by the lady who has never needed any PD meds, is Ramipril. sorry, I don't know the dosage. However, I met another lady at a PD symposium who has had PD for a shorter time, 5 years, but has never had any PD meds. She also has high BP, and takes Burinex.
The other hypertension drugs are
Hydralazine
Captopril
Tetrazosin
These last 3 have been investigated by Purdue University by Riyi Shi.
They found that they slow down the processes of PD and Alzheimers.
Note that high blood pressure can damage the delicate BBB like too much pressure on a filter, not designed for high pressures.
Sorry can't find ref but here is article.
Ron


April 17, 2006

Purdue scientists find hypertension drug reverses death of cells
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University researchers have identified a drug commonly used to treat hypertension that may also reverse damage from spinal cord injuries, cancer and Parkinson's disease.
Riyi Shi
Download photo
caption below

A research team led by Riyi Shi (REE-yee SHEE) and Richard Borgens found that hydralazine, a medication that relaxes veins and arteries, may be an antidote for acrolein, a deadly toxin that is produced after a nerve cell is injured.

New findings based on research at the cellular level are detailed in two studies published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research today (Monday, April 17). In the first article, researchers examine how acrolein attacks and kills cells. In the second article, they demonstrate that cell death caused by acrolein (a-KRO-le-an), a byproduct of an injury, can be reversed when hydralazine is administered.

"This is probably the most important fundamental discovery we have made at the Center for Paralysis Research because we are saving nerve cells from death," said Borgens, Mari Hulman George Professor of Applied Neurology in the School of Veterinary Medicine and founder of the paralysis research center where the research was conducted.

"Initially we may use this discovery for spinal cord injury and stroke, but we can expect further studies will look at how it works against a whole spectrum of injury

Perhaps I should explain that I think that hypertension drugs also reduce permeability of the BBB. Problem is when you do a search for evidence, every paper needs a payment for the paper. For example,

[PDF] Abstracts from The 24 Annual National Neurotrauma Society SymposiumFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat
Hydralazine. is a commercially available anti-hypertension drug that is capable .... offer a treatment strategy to reduce BBB permeability and brain edema. ...
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdf...eu.2006.23.985 - Similar pages

JeanB
You were first to post on isradipine, sorry we are not using your thread in thisd discussion.
Ron

Ron, I'm happy this is being discussed - no matter which thread. Your posts are always thought-provoking.

Best to all.