MAO-B inhibitors (more specifically selegiline which contributes most of the data) do not appear to delay disease progression in terms of improved survival but may reduce later motor fluctuations. At present, we do not feel these drugs can be recommended for routine use in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease.
Effect of lazabemide on the progression of disability in early Parkinson's disease. The Parkinson Study Group.
Lazabemide (Ro 19-6327) is a relatively short-acting, reversible, and selective type B monoamine oxidase inhibitor that is not metabolized to amphetamines or other active compounds. We previously found lazabemide to be safe and well tolerated at dosages of up to 400 mg/day during a 6-week study of 201 patients with early untreated Parkinson's disease (PD). We now assess whether or not lazabemide influences the progression of disability in untreated PD. Patients (N = 321) were assigned by randomization to one of five treatment groups (placebo, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg/day) and followed systematically for up to 1 year. The risk of reaching the primary end point (the onset of disability sufficient to require levodopa therapy) was reduced by 51% for the patients who received lazabemide compared with placebo-treated subjects. This effect was consistent among all dosages. The frequency of adverse experiences did not differ among the treatment groups. At dosages ranging from 25 to 200 mg/day, lazabemide was well tolerated and delayed the need for levodopa in early, otherwise untreated PD. The magnitude and pattern of benefits were similar to those observed after 1 year of deprenyl (selegiline) treatment in the DATATOP clinical trial.