Parkinson's Centre Taps 'Brain Bank'

[Murray Charters <mcharters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)
May 16, 2003

Parkinson's centre taps 'brain bank'
Prof's life's work stays in Saskatoon
 
Rod Nickel
The StarPhoenix

The opening of the Saskatchewan Centre for Parkinson's Disease and
Movement Disorders at Royal University Hospital is expected to
entrench Saskatoon's reputation as a research hub.

It also means renowned neurology Prof. Dr. Ali Rajput and his 150
frozen brains of former patients -- a research tool unlike any other
in the world -- aren't going anywhere.

Rajput, 68, said he has spurned offers from research centres
elsewhere to move his "brain bank" and life's work, following his
retirement from University of Saskatchewan last year.

With the co-operation of the U of S college of medicine and Saskatoon
Health Region, Rajput decided Saskatoon is the ideal place to locate
the centre.

"It's a major jump," Rajput said of turning his work into a permanent
research centre. "In the past, it was a stage play in which I was
writer, director and actor. Now I want understudy writers, actors and
directors so they can take on the roles."

Rajput kept detailed records and videos chronicling how neurological
diseases affected his patients.

"Somewhere in these brains lies important information that might
someday lead to discovering the cause and cure of Parkinson's," said
Mary Jardine, national executive director of Parkinson Society
Canada.

Development of Canada's first synchrotron -- a giant microscope
capable of using intense light -- is an added research bonus for the
centre.

"There is no setup that matches what's in Saskatchewan," said Dr.
Oleh Hornykiewicz of Vienna, one of 17 world-renowned medical
specialists worldwide who will volunteer his efforts for the centre,
in a message of congratulation to Rajput.

Rajput describes the centre, coupled with the synchrotron's presence,
as a resource that will draw researchers to Saskatoon as effectively
as the Mayo Clinic does in the U.S.

Parkinson's and other movement disorders affect 300,000 Canadians.

The centre's trappings are modest, if not cramped. It consists of one
paid nurse, along with the volunteer specialists, two labs, a small
office and freezer room on the hospital's second floor.

But the centre is already busy, conducting clinics and research in 15
studies, including the use of drugs to slow the disease and control
symptoms.

"The impact of this centre is it's not going to die with me," Rajput
said. "What I hope is that . . . it becomes bigger and better to
serve the people in Saskatchewan."

The centre may be open, but its financial foundation isn't solid yet.
Rajput, who serves as director, estimates he'll need $300,000-
$400,000 annually to run the centre. It will have a stable future for
at least 20 years, he said, if he can raise at least $2 million. So
far, his largest donation is $50,000 from an anonymous donor.

"I beg a lot," he said, laughing. "There are funds available from
individuals, research grants.

At a news conference to announce the centre's birth Thursday, Rajput
put out a call for a "rich uncle or aunt" to buy its naming rights.

Ali, who is Canada's representative on a Parkinson's disease working
group of the World Health Organization, said he hasn't directly
requested money from the provincial government.

SOURCE: The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)

8156-4628-A60D-4CCA5E1C9AA1

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