Selegiline, marketed under the names Jumex, Eldepryl, and Deprenyl, and used to treat Parkinson's disease has been shown to extend the lives of male Wister rats an average of 40% in one study. The drug works for patients with with Parkinson's and healthy individuals alike, by protecting sensitive dopaminergic (dopamine receiving) neurons in a small region of the brain (the substantia niagra). A gradual loss of these receptors in this area of the brain is responsible for Parkinson's disease ---a disease whose victims, mostly elderly, gradually move with stonelike postures, losing the ability to care for themselves. The drug is in a class called monoamine oxidase inhibitors. At a regular dose it is probably not necessary to restrict the diet from tyramine containg foods. Numerous studies have been done showing the benefits of this drug to the brain. One study found that the density of dendrites (the nerve connections between brain cells) increased a whole lot in several important areas of the brain. Also helpful, the levels of certain important antioxidants in the brain (Superoxidase dismutase was one of them) was upped after several weeks of treatment with the drug. There have been studies done showing that rats learn mazes quicker under the influence of this drug. Though the study showing a 40% increase in lifespan was done at dangerously high levels (the human equivalent of injecting 80mg--8 times the dose given to Parkinsons diseased patients by mouth), most life extentionist organizations recommend .75-1.25 mg. or so a week for protection against age related cognitive decline and aging. www.valiantdeath.com ---for experimental music and art, zines DIY pieces