Bristol GDNF trial: I'm sure that I won't... - Cure Parkinson's

Cure Parkinson's

26,504 members27,915 posts

Bristol GDNF trial

jeeves19 profile image
16 Replies

I'm sure that I won't be the only 'Brit' writing about this but here in the UK we've had a two part documentary on the BBC that documented the GDNF trail that involved about 40 odd Parkinsons individuals. Hopefully it'll appear on YouTube or if you can access BBC iPlayer then go for it. A moving and frustrating programme. Many of the subjects improved their PDRS score by 50/60% over an 18 month period and to see the difference in most of them was remarkable. Some had fewer improvements but considering that so many did well strikes me as bizarre that Pfizer et al have dropped it. My thoughts were that it helped greatly with those who were under the 10 year mark but less so those way above this (such as dear Tom Isaacs bless him). It definitely works and to see so many success stories calls into question the nature of scientific measurement against 'common sense' at times!

Written by
jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
16 Replies
Eliza-Jane profile image
Eliza-Jane

G'day Adam. aaaaaah . . . how frustrating! If many improved why aren't they going further? Is it because more PWPs can't benefit than those who can? Thereby why spend the money on manufacturing it if only 120,000 benefit when 1,120,000 can't? (Those figures were plucked from the air above my brain so enough said). Can we start a movement? Can we collectively rise up and be heard? This is our health, our lives and our future that they are dismissing.

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply toEliza-Jane

Unsure Jan. They pulled out in 2003 because they placed the GNDF source in patients guts (like a couple of baked bean tins) and these leaked. The new trial kept the source in clinic and was much safer.

WinnieThePoo profile image
WinnieThePoo

I hope more people watch the program before commenting on threads about it. An excellent program. Research which needs pushing forward

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19

Some good person put it on YT gang so here's the link:

youtube.com/watch?v=c2jEk3R...

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace in reply tojeeves19

Thanks for posting this. Has the second part aired?

Despe profile image
Despe in reply tojeeves19

Looks painful and very invasive. I don't believe it's meant for older patients but again, the majority of PwP are over 60! YO patients will definitely sustain the procedure. It scares the h. . .l out of me just looking at it.

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19

Yes last night. Hopefully it’ll appear on YT soon. The second is most interesting as it considers the results and is often quite an emotional experience.

Trixiedee profile image
Trixiedee in reply tojeeves19

I cried for Tom Isaacs 😭

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19

Yes I felt the same😕

Farooqji profile image
Farooqji

Part 2

youtu.be/TOyIdlzNKnI

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace in reply toFarooqji

Thank you.

JANVAN profile image
JANVAN in reply toFarooqji

Thank you iqbaliqbal !

That’s the nice thing of Internet : things can democratily spread very easy for many people.

Simon hat also posted interesting (and realistic) about it....

Beanie57 profile image
Beanie57

As others have said It was a very interesting program with very mixed emotions -RIP Tom. Wondering if there was anyone on this forum who was involved in the trial?

Judyrsmith profile image
Judyrsmith

Thank you. Did they use a program like BIG? I’ll try to see it

beech profile image
beech

I cried during Part 2 when the doctor presenting the findings to the gathered trial scientists etc said it had failed - they were all so shocked, and so was I having followed it. That the trial’s criteria and parameters seemed so narrow and short term to warrant stopping the trial and withdrawal of development funding despite some initial successes which were stopped before the full outcome could be measured seemed to me to be shortsighted.

Ah well, back to the drawing board.

RIP Tom, what a wonderful man, and his incredible wife. As were all participants in the trial.

Ballerina335 profile image
Ballerina335

I watched both episodes and felt gutted for all the brave people who underwent the trial. There were real improvements in people.People looked improved and felt improved. Heartless drug company. I was struck by Tom's bravery,hope and humour.❤

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

A rant from a GDNF trial participant

If you were able to see the BBC two part documentary on the Bristol GDNF trial you will recognise...
Dap1948 profile image

GDNF - Back to the future?

In the early part of this decade Stephen Gill at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol conducted a small...
JonStamford profile image

FOX INSIGHT TRIAL

I just received another yearly evaluation on current symptoms. I remembered the list 5 things, how...

GDNF (Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor) / walking exercize

Previous to walking four miles, 3 to 4 X per week, I could not brush my teeth with my right hand....

The Parkinson's Drug Trial

Hi all This is a link to my vlog about the recent BBC documentary about the Parkinson’s Drug......
Ianfrizell profile image

Moderation team

See all
CPT_Aleksandra profile image
CPT_AleksandraAdministrator
CPT_Anaya profile image
CPT_AnayaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.