Levodopa and monoamine oxidase inhibitor combination therapy. A controlled clinical trial.

During a long-term double-blind study, which began February 1985, we have treated 16 patients with Morbus Parkinson or Parkinson's syndrome with deprenyl or identically appearing placebo tablets. The aim of the study is to ascertain whether a reduction of other antiparkinsonian medication, especially Madopar, can be achieved with deprenyl, in order to minimize the known late undesirable collateral effects ("on-off"-phenomena, dyskinesias). The criteria used in evaluation of the course of disease are the clinical-neurological findings as well as a series of motor performance tests. The results to date indicate that the dose of Madopar could be reduced in 7 of the 16 patients. Two of these patients were receiving Madopar alone, while 5 had been given anti-cholinergics in addition. In one female patient the dose of Madopar had to be reduced due to the development of dyskinesias. It is noteworthy that the psychological condition of the patients remained constant. There was no increase in side-effects, e.g. headaches, dizziness, nausea, etc. with administration of the study substance. In 3 patients with longstanding Parkinson's disease treated with Madopar or Nacom, who were not included in the study, the doses of the above drugs could be maintained or reduced by addition of deprenyl.