Early administration of Parkinson's drug may slow progression
New research has provided hope that the drug rasagiline (Azilect) may improve Parkinson's disease care by slowing down the onset of symptoms.
Around one in 500 people in the UK have Parkinson's, the majority of whom started experiencing symptoms after the age of 50.
Scientists found that newly-diagnosed people who were given rasagiline performed better than those who waited six months before starting treatment.
Lead author Dr Robert Hauser, director of the University of South Florida Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Centre, commented: "Patients who received rasagiline right from the beginning rather than after a six-month delay experienced less progression of the clinical signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease that interfere with activities of daily living such as eating, walking and dressing."
The study, which is published in the journal Movement Disorders, involved more than 400 patients with early Parkinson's disease.
Some of the patients were given rasagiline for one year, while others were given a placebo (dummy pill) for six months, followed by rasagiline for the remainder of the year.
Researchers found that patients who took rasagiline from the start experienced less worsening of motor symptoms and fewer problems with daily activities.
More than 300 patients then continued to take rasagiline for up to 6.5 years and the researchers found that those who had been taking the drug from the start continued to fare better than those who had started on the placebo.