Symptomatic anti-parkinsonian effects of monoamine oxidase-B inhibition: comparison of selegiline and lazabemide.

Selegiline (deprenyl) and lazabemide (Ro 19-6327) are inhibitors of monoamine oxidase-B but differ in several other pharmacological properties. We compared 4-week monotherapy trials of each to assess their actions against signs and disabilities of Parkinson's disease (PD). In a group of 20 mildly affected Parkinson patients treated with each drug, there were no statistically significant changes from the pretreatment baseline. There were no differences between the drugs. This work confirms that the symptomatic effects of selegiline against Parkinsonism are small and are likely due to its inhibition of monoamine oxidase-B.