Effect of deprenyl on the progression of disability in early Parkinson's disease

Article Abstract:

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease of the brain that results in tremor (shaking), muscle weakness and a peculiar gait. As the disease progresses it is marked by a deterioration of higher brain functioning and thought. The disease is caused by a pathologic destructive change in specific cells found deep within the brain (in the basal ganglia, particularly in the substantia nigra). The cells that are involved in this degenerative process are related to a particular neurotransmitter, dopamine, which is used to communicate between cells. The current form of treatment is with levodopa and other compounds related to dopamine. Although the treatment is effective, most physicians attempt to refrain from treatment with levodopa for as long as possible because of its adverse effects on mental state and motor function. This study examines the ability of various drugs to prolong the period before levodopa is required because of the patient's deteriorating condition. The researchers examined the effectiveness of deprenyl (a monoamine oxidase inhibitor), tocopherol (vitamin E), a combination of the two drugs, and an inactive placebo. Eight hundred Parkinson patients participated. This report describes the interim results of the study which is still in progress. Deprenyl as a single drug was able to ward off the disability of Parkinson's disease and thereby delay the need for treatment with levodopa. At this preliminary point the effects of tocopherol, either alone or in concert with deprenyl, cannot be reported. In part this is because it is anticipated that any effects of this drug will only be seen following long-term therapy. The authors suggest that otherwise-untreated patients at an early stage of Parkinson's disease be treated with 10 mg of deprenyl per day. This recommendation is made even though the long-term effect of such treatment is unknown; it is advisable that these patients be followed closely. It is also not known whether deprenyl therapy should be continued when patients require treatment with levodopa.

Evaluation, Drug therapy, Parkinsonism, Antiparkinsonian agents, Antiparkinson agents

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Effects of tocopherol and deprenyl on the progression of disability in early Parkinson's disease

Article Abstract:

Deprenyl may be more effective than tocopherol (vitamin E) in slowing the development and progression of early Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder caused by the degeneration of nerve cells. Among 800 patients in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, 197 were treated with deprenyl and tocopherol, 202 were treated with deprenyl and a placebo, or an inactive substance, 202 were treated with tocopherol and a placebo and 199 were treated with a placebo alone. Treatment with deprenyl delayed the onset of neurological symptoms or disability requiring long-term treatment with levodopa by an average of nine months. Patients treated with tocopherol alone not did experience any significant delay in the onset of symptoms. None of the patients treated with deprenyl or tocopherol experienced any serious side effects, but a few patients treated with deprenyl developed arrhythmia.

Development and progression, Parkinson's disease, Parkinson disease

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Vitamins C and E and the risks of preeclampsia and perinatal complications

Article Abstract:

A study was conducted to determine whether supplementation with antioxidant vitamins reduces the risk of preeclampsia and perinatal complications. It was found that supplementation with vitamins C and E during pregnancy does not reduce the risk of preeclampsia in nulliparous women, the risk of intrauterine growth restriction or the risk of death or other serious outcomes in their infants.

England, Prevention, Control, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Vitamin C

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