From: "Kaptchuk, Ted Jack" To: Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation®gmail.com> Subject: update Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:32:13 +0000 Attachments: Kaptchuk_PLoS_One_2010.pdf; AT700001.htm; Placebo_BBC_World_Today_27.12.10.mp3; ATT00002.htm Hi Jeffrey, Last time we talk, I explained that I'm interested in moving honestly described placebos (or what i am tentatively calling the "ritual of medicine") into mainstream medicine. We published our first paper using open-label placebos (patients are told it is a placebo) as a treatment last week in PLoS One. (pfd attached). We received enormous media attention (TV, radio, print and intemet across the globe, including all the big players like the NY Times and LA Times; Wall Street Journal probably next week) which suggest that this concept has an appeal. (I'll attach a few of the 2-3 minutes media segments.) Our team is moving forward in other illness with a multi-disciplinary approach integrating concepts, research designs and analytic methods drawn from the basic, clinical, and social sciences as well as the humanities (e.g. history and bioethics). We hope to perform neurobiological mechanism studies on this phenomenon soon and study patients' experiences using ethnographic methods. Harvard Medical School and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have decided to start of Center in Placebo Studies. I just wanted to update you on what has happened since we last talk and find out whether this emerging research avenue/clinical approach is of interest to you. We want to change medicine, health care and our understanding of what is possible. Best in the New Year! ted PS: Some media links: NPR broadcast link: http:/Mww.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/12/23/132281484/fake-pills-can-work-even-if-patients-know-it?print=1 NBC broadcast link: BBC World News: (MP4 recording) somewhere on this page. Ted Kaptchuk Associate Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School Boston, MA 02215 phone: 617.354.1744 On Nov 24, 2010