Valerie Harper
I just read the October/November 2013 issue of Neurology Now. The cover story on Valerie Harper affected me deeply. I felt I grew up with her while watching the Mary Tyler Moore Show, and the spinoff, Rhoda, every week. Rhoda was the kind of person everyone wished they had for a neighbor—someone to talk to about problems and life in general. - Sent anonymously by iPad
Non-Alzheimer's Dementias
I just wanted to write a note of appreciation for Peggy Eastman's article on research strategies for non-Alzheimer's dementias. The article was excellent, and we especially appreciate the section that highlighted the perspective of caregivers. These "other" dementias continue to remain in the shadows of Alzheimer's disease, but stories like this go a long way to helping families know that their needs are being heard by the research community. - Angela Taylor, Director of Programs, Lewy Body Dementia Association, Lilburn, GA
Restless Leg Syndrome
Thank you for raising awareness of the numerous neurologic conditions that fly under the radar of mainstream America. Your "Resource Central" section is also very helpful, but why no listing for restless leg syndrome (RLS)? - Robert Haas, Redding, CA
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for your letter, Robert. We apologize for not listing the Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Foundation, which recently changed its name to the Willis-Ekbom Disease Foundation (rls.org ). However, beginning with the February/March 2014 issue, we will no longer be publishing the full list of organizations in print, for reasons of space. Instead, the print magazine will contain a short list of organizations, such as the American Academy of Neurology, that cover a wide range of neurologic conditions; the remainder will appear online.
Speak Up
Thank you for publishing Katherine Stanley's terrific "Speak Up" essay in the October/November 2013 issue, "Benefit of the Doubt: The gift that has helped me thrive with Prader-Willi syndrome". I have a great-grandson with Prader-Willi syndrome. His name is Kerrigan Doyle (see photo).
Like Katherine, he is much loved and living up to his potential. Kerrigan is 19 years old and attends a special school, where he is learning lots of useful things. He goes everywhere with his father and four brothers; one of his "self-imposed" jobs is keeping all those boys in line. Kerrigan deals with all the same issues Katherine discusses, so we wanted her to know how much we appreciated reading about her. We're also looking forward to her book in November! - Marnie A. Beattie, MSW, ACSW (retired), Seattle, WA
Spanish Language Pain Management Resources
I just finished reading the article about suicide and pain patients your April/May issue. I am a psychologist working in a clinic that serves a large number of Spanish-speaking patients. Most were injured on the job and many now have chronic pain. I'm frustrated with the lack of relaxation/meditation/pain management resources available in Spanish. Many Spanish-speaking people work in jobs with higher-than-average injury potential. What I've been doing is conducting relaxation exercises during our sessions and having the interpreter record the exercises on the patient's smartphone, if they have one. But it's a poor substitute for something more professionally done. - Virginia M. Buzzell, Ph.D., Mill Creek, WA
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: After checking with the experts quoted in our story and doing our own search, we found very little available online for pain management per se in Spanish. However, Afton Hassett, Psy.D., points out that relaxation and stress management—even when they aren't developed specifically for chronic pain—can be helpful. The website of the National Institutes of Health has a stress-management program in Spanish and English. In addition, a website hosted by Georgetown University offers audio relaxation exercises in both English and Spanish.
Parkinson's Disease Without Motor Symptoms
I appreciate your explanation in the June/July issue of Neurology Now regarding postponing diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) in people without motor symptoms. However, I wonder if your response would be different for someone with multiple non-motor symptoms or with an increasing problem with micrographia. I too have decreased ability to detect odors; in addition, my handwriting makes signing papers difficult. I don't have any gross motor defects but sense occasional right-sided internal tremors in my thigh and hand which are not visible. Perhaps I'm just too concerned because my mother has had PD for 15 years, but her initial symptoms were the same. Do you recommend I look for a neurologist now or wait for gross motor symptoms? I am 61 years old, otherwise in excellent health and on no medications. - Deborah O'Rourke
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: I would definitely recommend that you look for a neurologist now. With a careful history and neurologic examination, it might be possible to diagnose PD at this point and recommend treatment, or provide you with reassurance that you do not have PD.
Looking for Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's Disease
I'm looking for clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments around the Lubbock, TX, area. We seem to have several generations of AD in my family. - Dolores Chavarria
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: The best place to find clinical trials in your area is through clinicaltrials.gov, which is maintained by the National Institutes of Health. We applaud your interest in participating—advances in treatment depend on people's willingness to join trials.
Speak Up for Dementia
Speak Up: What you should know about memory problems and dementia is a new public awareness campaign from The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology, that includes free brochures and posters in English and Spanish as well as online materials to help people learn more about the difference between normal aging and dementia. For more information, go to jointcommission.org.