The clinical and biochemical investigation of L-deprenyl in Parkinson's disease with special reference to the ?on-off? effect

Abstract

The effect of L-deprenyl in combination with L-Dopa was studied in 22 Parkinsonian patients, with various forms of “on-off” phenomena. L-deprenyl is a selective, irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type B, without tyramine potentiating property. The results were very encouraging with regard to amelioration of “on-off effect”. More than 80% of the patients with nocturnal akinesia, early morning akinesia, end-of-dose akinesia and non-dose-dependent akinesia, showed improvement. In 9 out of 22 patients, the “off” period disappeared. The platelet monoamine oxidase activity, which is of type B and similar to the brain enzyme, was fully inhibited by the daily dose of L-deprenyl. There was no significant change in serum prolactin level during the duration of 6 weeks' treatment with L-deprenyl.