MDS 2023 | Adjunctive MAO-B or COMT inhibitors for Parkinson’s disease

Oscar Gershanik, MD, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina, discusses various drugs that complement the primary medication, levodopa, for Parkinson’s disease treatment. Inhibitors of type-B monoamine oxidase (MAO-B), such as selegiline and rasagiline, as well as catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, are classes of drugs used along with levodopa therapy to prolong its effects. Dopamine agonists are another option, providing partial relief by mimicking dopamine’s effects. While they have limitations, younger patients in the early stages of the disease can benefit from dopamine agonists before requiring levodopa. Prof. Gershanik also mentions the new drug safinamide, an MAO-B inhibitor with unique properties. This interview took place at the 2023 International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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