I understand that Azilect (rasagiline) has been shown in some studies (but not all) to slow the progression of PD by interrupting the programmed cell death process (apoptosis). This allows diseased neurons to continue to live, and produce at least some level of dopamine, rather than "committing suicide" and producing none.

My question: If one has been taking Azilect for a few months or years, but then stops, how quickly does the cell death proceed? I could see two possibilities. Possibility 1: cell death occurs quickly after withdrawing Azilect, because many cells are in mid "cell death" process, held at the point of interruption. Without Azilect, those cells die rather quickly. Possibility 2: "cell death" resumes at the rate it would have done before, i.e. reasonably slowly.

Can anyone with a neurobiological background let me know which it is, or perhaps that it is a different possibility? This knowledge would be useful for anyone thinking of experimenting with a withdrawal of Azilect in order to assess medications, interactions, and so on.

Many Thanks

Dan Freedman (diagnosed 10 months ago, at age 50).