Washington, D.C.

Gene therapy studied for Parkinson’s patients

Genes that make a vital neurochemical will be injected into the brains of 12 Parkinson’s disease patients in the first use of gene therapy to treat the devastating brain disorder. Researchers say the treatment may calm tremors and slow progression of the disease.

The Food and Drug Administration approved a Phase 1 clinical trial based in part on the results of a laboratory study to be published today in the journal Science, according to researchers, who said the trial could start before the end of the year.

Dr. Michael G. Kaplitt, a Parkinson’s researcher at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York, said the experiment would involve patients who have exhausted standard therapy and are in a late stage of the disease.

Kaplitt and Dr. Matthew J. During of the University of Auckland in New Zealand are senior authors of the Science study, in which they demonstrated in rats that transferring the brain chemical gene could greatly improve Parkinson’s symptoms and slow progression of the disease.

California

Activity resumes at West Coast ports

West Coast ports creaked back to life Thursday, but resentment simmered as managers watched for slowdowns and dockworkers accused them of wanting to drag the dispute back to court.

The Pacific Maritime Assn. spent the day poring over data at the nation’s 29 major ports in Washington, Oregon and California, looking for any sign of slacking on the part of the dockworkers.

A spokesman for the association first described work as “adequate,” but as Thursday wore on was more pessimistic, saying the pace had become “sluggish.”

The 10,500 dockworkers began returning to their jobs Wednesday after President Bush obtained a court order ending the 10-day shutdown that caused cargo to pile up and cost the U.S. economy as much as $2 billion a day.

On Thursday, Gap Inc. became one of the first major retailers to reveal the impact of the shutdown. The clothing chain said shipping delays could shave as much as $60 million from its holiday season profits.

Washington, D.C.

Injectible contraceptive recalled over potency

A type of contraceptive injected once a month is being recalled because some doses may not be potent enough, the manufacturer announced Thursday.

A subpotent dose may not be effective in preventing pregnancy.

Pharmacia Corporation of Peapack, N.J., said the recall covers Lunelle monthly contraceptive in prefilled syringes.

As many as 100,000 women could be affected by the recall, covering products distributed between January and October of this year, the Food and Drug Administration reported.

The recall does not include the form of Lunelle packed in vials, the company said, but only the prefilled syringes which constitute the majority of the market.

Pharmacia spokeswoman Caroline Bullock said the company had not seen any increase in unintended pregnancies among users of the drug.

Pharmacia said patients can call (888) 691-6813 for more information. Healthcare professionals can call (800) 323-4204.