Rasagiline for Multiple System Atrophy?

In a randomized trial, rasagiline did not alter clinical disease progression in multiple system atrophy.

Rasagiline is one of several monoamine oxidase inhibitors that have been proposed as possible disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson disease (PD). In the current study, researchers examined the use of rasagiline as a disease-modifying therapy for the parkinsonian variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA). The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, manufacturer-sponsored trial. Patients with possible or probable parkinsonian-variant MSA were randomized to receive either 1 mg daily of rasagiline (84 patients) or placebo (90 patients). The primary outcome variable was change in the total Unified MSA Rating Scale (UMSARS) score parts I and II from baseline to 48 weeks. An intention-to-treat analysis was perform…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)