Contacts: Sarah Goodwin Kathi Ovnic Holly Korschun

July 3, 1999

PARKINSON'S PATIENTS SOUGHT FOR STUDY TO EXAMINE DELAY OF DISEASE PROGRESSION   Neurology researchers at the Emory University School of Medicine are seeking adults ages 40 to 80 with recent, untreated symptoms of the movement disorder known as Parkinson's disease. The multicenter, Phase III, clinical trial is evaluating the effects of the drug riluzole in controlling the progression of Parkinson's disease. Qualified volunteers should be experiencing symptoms such as stilted, halting movements, tremor or shakiness. They should have been diagnosed with Parkinson's within the last three years and should not currently be taking anti-Parkinson's medication. Participants will receive neurologic testing and study medication (either riluzole or placebo) at no charge. They will be asked to make about 17 visits over a two-year period to Emory's Neurology Clinic at the Wesley Woods Center on Aging, located near the Emory campus at 1841 Clifton Rd., N.E., Atlanta. For information, patients or their family members may call Anna Partlow, R.N., study coordinator for the Emory site, at 404/ 728-4559, may call 1-800-220-8610 or may visit the internet website: http://www.centerwatch.com. ###