Adverse events were mild and similar to those already documented. The most frequent were nausea and vomiting and orthostatic hypotension (4% each).
Rasagiline, which is already approved at the 1-mg dose for symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's, is a potent monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor. Its putative neuroprotective effects are not fully understood, Dr. Rascol said. “It may enhance the survival of the dopamine cell, or it may enhance the endogenous compensatory mechanisms the brain uses to cope with the loss of dopamine. Alternatively, rasagiline could reduce or avoid some undesirable adaptation of the brain involved in loss of dopamine.”
The trial was cosponsored by the drug's developer and manufacturer Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, headquartered in Israel, and Lundbeck A/S of Copenhagen. Both Dr. Olanow and Dr. Rascol are paid consultants for the companies.