As I posted less than 10 times, I am not allowed to paste a link to the source. I wanted to give you guys some information I found about the neuroprotective effect of rasagiline.

Based on the readings I did, I think rasagiline is indeed neuroprotective. You can google for the TEMPO results. The patients have been followed up for 6 years. I saw a plot in which the % increase on the Parkinson disease rating scales was depicted in function of the years. People from the non-delay group at year 6 had the same score as people from the 6 month delay group at year 3. Also, variability was much smaller. I must say I don't understand why these results doesn't convince the scientific community that Azilect is not neuroprotective ? Does it have to do with the subjectivity of the rating score ?

These results were obtained for a 1 mg dose. It is a pity there are no results for people not taking Azilect. Also, what would be the neuroprotective effect if a 2 mg dose would have been used ?

[pegleg]

We have taken Sinemet for years (40+) and before Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa), people diagnosed with Parkinson's would only live 8-10 years. Now we live 10, 20, even 30 years. So could we not say that Sinemet is neural protective? How can they say Azilect is neuroprotective after only a couple of years??? I 'm not disputing what you read, I'm just trying to understand!
Peggy

[1990nyboy]

The FDA was not convinced in 2011 by Teva's ADAGIO trial. Results were very odd and difficult to explain. E.g., whereas 1 mg showed some neuroprotection 2 mg show none at all.

It is hard to account for this kind of finding. Why would there not be a dose-response effect?

There are a variety of new, potentially effective neuroprotective agents being tested. I wouldn't bet the farm on Azilect.

Howard

I admit it is not 100 % sure to prove neuroprotectiveness. I read that all patients were getting Azilect + some other stuff they individually decided to take. This messes up the results a bit. But I wouldn't give up hope and say Azilect could not be a neuroprotector. The several tests indicate neuroprotection. If this neuroprotection can be caused by random effects, like personal choice of meds ... then wouldn't you expect that in some test the delay group could have had better scores ? This was not the case. Also, the the reason of failure to show neuroprotectiveness for the 2 mg case that is provided, doesn't seem to be unreasonable.

I am not saying that neuroprotectiveness of rasagiline is proven. But I do agree that there are indicators that indicate that it might be neuroprotective. As far as I read they are still doing tests on this and hope to prove neuroprotectiveness in 2013.

Originally Posted by 1990nyboy

The FDA was not convinced in 2011 by Teva's ADAGIO trial. Results were very odd and difficult to explain. E.g., whereas 1 mg showed some neuroprotection 2 mg show none at all.

Teva doesn't say it could not be neuroprotective. It only stated that given the results one could not be 100 % sure to make this claim.

Originally Posted by 1990nyboy

It is hard to account for this kind of finding. Why would there not be a dose-response effect?

Azilect gives symptomatic benefits. A 2 mg dose would give better symptomatic benefits which could be why the delay group has the same score as the non-delay group.

Originally Posted by 1990nyboy

There are a variety of new, potentially effective neuroprotective agents being tested. I wouldn't bet the farm on Azilect.
Howard

Which are those agents ?

[aftermathman]

Pramipexole is neuro-protecting.

Neil.

Aftermathman, thank you for this information.

I found a link in which it is reported that pramipexole was tested for neuroprotectiveness. The study results would be obtained in 2009. However, I didn't find anything of these results. You have more knowledge about this ?

[stevem53]

They claimed Mirapex was also neuro protective, and found out it was not..I could be wrong, but I wouldnt doubt that this neuro protective proclamation, is a marketing scheme

Originally Posted by stevem53

They claimed Mirapex was also neuro protective, and found out it was not..I could be wrong, but I wouldnt doubt that this neuro protective proclamation, is a marketing scheme

Mirapex is Pramipexole. I didn't find any real proof this one is neuroprotective. The TEMPO data for rasagiline looks much more convincing to me.

I think the biggets hope for a neuroprotector for PD is inosine. They are in clinical phase ii now. In the report they claim that people with a high level of urate decline 40 % slower than those with a low level. This connection between urate and slowing down of PD progression was clearly seen in data obtained from more than 1600 PD patients. The conclusion of this phase will be published in 2013. Unfortunately this is not a phase 3 trial, which will probably take another 5 tot 7 years.

In 2013 results from a new rasagiline study will be published to finally decide whether rasagiline is neuroprotective or not. According to the TEMPO studies I saw, Rasagiline seems promissing. Patients at year 6 with rasagiline (only 1 mg dose) were at the same stage as people at year 3 with rasagiline. If you add to this the 40 % of inosine, I think there is some real and interesting hope for all PD patients. So let's cross our fingers and see how things evolve.

What does upset me, though, is the creatine phase 3 clinical trial. They are at year 5, but expect results at year 8. I wonder why they don't put intermediate results already. 5 years of data is a lot of data already. I think all PD patients should have the right to know the results from the already obtained data and determine together with their doctor whether they should take creatine or not. Neurons aren't gonna wait 3 years. Action is needed as soon as possible.

[Peony]

I share your frustration with the snail's pace of publishing results. I hate to turn cynical, maybe it's all just too complex to figure out, but it sure is frustrating. When I was first diagnosed over 5 years ago, I saw so many hopeful-sounding news (creatine, inosine, COQ10, Isradipine, rasagiline, cogane, stem cells, estrogen, coffee, smoking, etc), and my neuro actually said "within 10 years," but nothing ever seems to come of any of it. Someone in my PD Chorus wrote a song about it called Just Ten More Years, set to the tune of I'll Fly Away! Very funny lyrics. What can you do but laugh sometimes?