Podcast Introduction

• Internet Roundup weekly show hosted by Josh and Chuck from "Stuff You Should Know" podcast
• Format: share best and worst of internet, two stories per episode
• This week: one serious/awesome story, one fun/goofy story

Parkinson's Drug Breakthrough - Nilotinib

• Drug Details:
  • Nilotinib (nalotinib) - existing leukemia drug being used off-label for Parkinson's
  • Discovered by Dr. Charbel Musa, assistant professor of Neurology at Georgetown
• Mechanism of Action:
  • Activates glial channels (brain's waste treatment center)
  • Glial channels normally shrink when awake, open during sleep to remove plaque buildup
  • Clears toxic proteins through cerebral spinal fluid
  • Acts like "garbage disposal" for brain plaque associated with Parkinson's
• Clinical Results:
  • Small pilot study: 12 patients total
  • 11 out of 12 patients showed radical improvement over 6 months
  • Dramatic functional improvements:
    • Non-walking patients could walk
    • Patients who couldn't feed themselves regained ability
    • Restored speech, reading abilities
  • Treated Parkinson's disease with dementia and Lewy body dementia
• Study Limitations & Challenges:
  • Small sample size (12 patients)
  • Post-study: patients lost access to nilotinib, symptoms returned
  • Requires lifelong treatment
  • Cost: several thousand dollars per month
  • Low doses needed for effectiveness

McDonald's Failed Menu Items

• Context:
  • McDonald's struggling with identity/positioning
  • Attempting healthier options unsuccessfully
  • Hosts' theory: "just be McDonald's" - customers want McDonald's food, not health food
• Regional Limitations:
  • Georgia McDonald's: no Egg McMuffins after hours, only biscuits
  • Must drive to Ohio or further north for English muffins
• Failed Menu Items from RantFood.com List:
  • Son of Mac: Smaller Big Mac with one patty, no middle bread slice - essentially hamburger with special sauce
  • McSpaghetti: Recent offering, also tested lasagna and fettuccine
  • McPizza:
    • Attempted multiple times
    • 11-minute cook time (not fast food compatible)
    • Wouldn't fit through drive-through window, caused "cheese avalanche"
  • McHot Dog:
    • Ray Kroc (McDonald's founder/franchiser) personally opposed hot dogs as "disgusting"
    • Multiple attempts, never successful
  • Eggs Benedict McMuffin: Hollandaise sauce on Egg McMuffin with runny egg
  • Hula Burger: 1960s creation for Catholics (no meat Fridays), grilled pineapple slice with pickles - replaced by Filet-O-Fish