http://www.orlandosentinel.com/featu...0,845361.story

Hi Paula,
This is more important than people think. The elderly by definition have more poroue BBB's than younger people, and drugs which don't enter the brain in a healthy person, can do so in the elderly, giving all sorts of side effects.
See
http://www.clinicalgeriatrics.com/article/6797

Aging patients undergo a number of anatomic and physiologic changes that put them at increased risk for suffering from cognitive impairment brought about by drug treatment.2 First and foremost, elderly patients have decreased metabolism and slower elimination of drugs, effectively increasing the opportunity for agents to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and disrupt cognitive functioning. Moreover, the BBB itself undergoes changes with age, resulting in increased permeability and greater passage of molecules from the systemic circulation into the brain parenchyma.3 Age-related changes in neurotransmission, brought about by changes in both neurotransmitter and receptor levels, also contribute to the likelihood that elderly patients will suffer from cognitive side effects. Finally, and pertinent to this discussion, medication usage and polypharmacy are increasingly likely in elderly patients.4

Ron

according to predictions with baby boomers, most of the people who will be needing pd treatments will be the upcoming elderly. Should these trials be separate? i would think the results would be influenced by too big a stretch between younger pwp and the elderly in the same trial?

I don't know, with all the money in the drug industry, shouldn't they be realizing these things? I'm starting to think saving lives isn't even on their radar screen in terms of priorities.

paula