24th June 2013 - New research

RASAGILINE'S EFFECT ON TREMOR IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

The International Journal of Neuroscience [2013] Jun 17 [Epub ahead of print] (M.F.Lew) Complete abstract

Researchers reviewed the effects on tremor in Parkinson's Disease of 1mg daily oral rasagiline, on its own and with other treatments. Tremor is a common symptom of Parkinson's Disease, but it is less responsive to dopaminergic therapy than are the symptoms of bradykinesia and rigidity. Rasagiline is a MAO inhibitor that is marketed as Azilect. For more information go to Azilect.

Of 22 identified publications, 2 large placebo-controlled trials of rasagiline monotherapy (TEMPO and ADAGIO) and 2 large placebo controlled trials of rasagiline with L-dopa (PRESTO and LARGO) specifically evaluated the effect of rasagiline on tremor using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Analysis of these studies showed rasagiline on its own significantly improved tremor in early Parkinsons' Disease independently of disease duration.

In people taking L-dopa who had motor fluctuations who were already receiving optimal dopaminergic treatment, the addition of rasagiline significantly improved their tremor. Significant improvement was evident as early as ten weeks from the initiation of the use of rasagiline. Tremor symptoms also improved in people with severe tremor when rasagiline was added to their existing Parkinson's Disease treatments. The researchers contend that the data suggest that rasagiline used on its own or alongside other treatments is effective for reducing tremor severity in people with Parkinson's Disease. For a printable version of this article click here. For more news go to Parkinson's Disease News.