Cocaine use linked to increased risk of Parkinson's

http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,1666846,00.html

Cocaine abuse could increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease in later life by making the brain more susceptible to toxins in the environment, researchers reported yesterday. Neuroscientists who carried out the study said that pregnant women who take the drug might also be raising the chances that their children will develop the condition.
The warning came after laboratory tests showed that cocaine altered nerve cells in a region of the brain called the substantia nigra, which made the nerves more susceptible to a toxin linked to Parkinson's disease.

The researchers tested the effects of cocaine on nerve cells by injecting a typical crack dose equivalent into lab mice. They found that the cocaine stopped nerve cells mopping up one of the brain's feelgood chemicals, dopamine, which in turn lead to a rise in reactive particles known as free radicals.

Although the high levels of free radicals were not enough on their own to kill off brain cells, the scientists found that once they injected low levels of MPTP - a comtoxin produced as a byproduct of the chemical industry - the nerves began to die. "What seems to be happening is that although each in isolation would not be a big problem, there is a synergistic effect that makes the nerves more susceptible to damage if cocaine has been used," said Richard Smeyne, a neurobiologist at St Jude Children's Research hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

this story was produced 2 days after Richard Pryor's death?

:sarcasm:

but I will treat any "safe cocaine" campaign with the disdain I reserve for "clean coal," thank you very much...

Its an early sign of Parkinson's.

so this must be the first on pregnant women. as usual, women`s health research lags behind male research.

I had attributed it to all the drinking. Or possibly, just an illusion from all the acid. Or maybe just my eyes shaking from the Ecstasy, making my hands APPEAR to tremble. But, no, it seems it's likely the blow. Rats. :evilgrin: