PARKINSON'S DISEASE NEWS

5th November 2010 - News release

SAFINAMIDE CLINICAL TRIALS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Merck Serono have extended their previous six month clinical trial of Safinamide for Parkinson's Disease to 24 months. Safinamide is believed to have both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic actions, including the inhibition of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), activity-dependent sodium channel antagonism and inhibition of glutamate release. It is intended to be added on to the existing use of L-dopa or dopamine agonists. In their previous six month study of Safinamide, dosages of 50mg to 100mg improved Parkinson's Disease symptoms, and reduced "off" time when added on to the use of existing Parkinson's Disease treatments. However, the reduction in "off" time in comparison to the use of a placebo was minimal, and the side effects of the clinical studies were not disclosed. Higher dosages did not have any beneficial effect. For more information go to the News release.

After 24 months of testing Safinamide, the improvement in dyskinesia was not statistically significant. The increase in "on" time beyond that of a placebo was only 40 minutes for 50mg safinamide, and 50 minutes for 100mg safinamide. They claimed that the “long-term treatment results are encouraging because they confirm the safety profile of safinamide." However, they again did not disclose any of the side effects of Safinamide. For more information go to the News release. For more current news go to Parkinson's Disease News.

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Parkinson's Disease News details all significant new research, news reports, new books, and new resources concerning Parkinson's Disease and those medical disorders that often coincide with Parkinson's Disease. It is compiled from an analysis of  all newly published research, news reports, new clinical trials, all newly published books, and new web sites. A summary and analysis of the new research are provided,  as well as links to the complete abstracts and news reports