Slowing disease progression

One of the key research targets for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is finding a way to stop the disorder developing and progressing – i.e., finding a treatment to modify the disease course. However, this effect is difficult to measure in a clinical study, and it also requires many years of follow-up to confirm any outcomes.

Despite these problems, several PD medications have been investigated in trials specifically designed to assess the rate of disease progression, and recently published findings for the MAO-B inhibitor, rasagiline (Azilect^®), suggest that it could slow the progression of PD. The dopamine agonist, pramipexole (Mirapexin^®), is also being investigated for this purpose, although study results are not yet available.

Currently, no medication is approved/licensed for modifying PD progression, although this possibility remains an exciting prospect for the future.