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NOVA: THE CASE OF THE FROZEN ADDICT (TV)

Summary

One in this series of science documentaries. This program explores how a synthetic drug used by drug addicts helped unlock some of the mysteries of Parkinson's disease. In the 1980s, drug addicts started appearing in California with extreme symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Dr. J.W. Langston and his colleagues began treating these patients and investigating the cause of their problems. Highlights of this program include discussions about the following topics by Dr. J.W. Langston, Dr. Sanford Markey, Dr. Stanley R. Burns, and Dr. Andre Barbeau: the cases of "frozen" people found in various parts of the world; the underground labs used by chemists to create synthetic forms of heroin; the police investigation that located the chemist who made the unknown substance that caused these "frozen states"; "designer" drugs; the research that led to the discovery of the substance MPTP in the synthetic heroin; earlier uses and harmful results of MPTP; the dangerous side effects of L-Dopa, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease; the possible causes of Parkinson's disease; and drugs being tested to treat patients with early signs of Parkinson's disease. Animated segments explaining the way MPTP reacts with enzymes in the brain, normal brain deterioration over the course of a lifetime, and brain deterioration in a patient with Parkinson's disease are included along with clips of Dr. Langston working with patients George Carillo, Connie Sainz, and David Silvey, who are addicts affected by MPTP. Also, Dr. Langston is shown at a federal hearing in Washington, D.C. working to get a "designer" drug bill passed.

Acquisition and cataloging of this program was made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Details

  • NETWORK: PBS WGBH Boston, MA
  • DATE: October 7, 1986 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:58:13
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:15723
  • GENRE: Documentary; Science/Nature
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drug abuse; Drugs - Research; Medical research; Narcotic addicts; Parkinsonism; Research
  • SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1974-
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Paula S. Apsell … Executive Producer
  • Jon Palfreman … Producer, Director, Writer
  • Betsy Anderson … Associate Producer
  • Prism Arts Group (San Rafael) … Animation
  • Daniel Kane … Music by
  • Peter Fink … Music (Misc. Credits), Electronic Music by
  • Don Wescott … Narrator
  • Andre Barbeau
  • Stanley R. Burns
  • George Carillo
  • J.W. Langston
  • Sanford Markey
  • Connie Sainz
  • David Silvey