On Sun, 27 Feb 2000 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Can you give me an update on the subject of Lorenzo's Oil? I think he would
> be about 20 now and wondered what happened to him. I know that the oil
> didn't turn out to be as effective as the movie depicted.
According to a clipping I have from the Montreal Gazette dated
September 7, 1994, the Odones (Lorenzo's parents) "say the therapy
stopped Lorenzo's decline and partly reversed it so that the
once-vegetative boy, now 16, can communicate slightly using hand
movements".
Hugh Moser appears to be the research expert on the condition.
According to 1995 paper of his, "Restrospective analysis of the effect
of the oil in patients with the severe [form] indicates that there was
a slight but statistically significant slowing of clinical progression
and delay of death". In another review paper, also in 1995 (in Current
Opinion), he says "This therapy does not alter the course of the
illness in symptomatic patients [that is, after the onset of
symptoms]. However, dietary therapy started before...may reduce the
frequency and severity of subsequent neurological disability".
As Dorothy notes, it seems the treatment has not achieved what was
hoped for it at the time the movie was made.
-Stephen
References
Moser, H. (1995). Adrenoleukodystrophy: natural history, treatment,
and outcome. Journal of Inherited Metabolic Diseases, 18, 435-447.
Moser, H. (1995). Adrenoleukodystrophy. Current Opinion in
Neurology, 8, 221-226.
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at:
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips/
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