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Rasagiline as an adjunct to levodopa in patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations (LARGO, Lasting effect in Adjunct therapy with Rasagiline Given Once daily, study): a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group trial.

BACKGROUND: Rasagiline mesylate is a novel drug for Parkinson's disease with selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor activity, and is effective as monotherapy in early disease. This study investigated rasagiline efficacy and safety in levodopa-treated patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations. METHODS: In an 18-week, double-blind, multicentre (74 hospitals and academic centres in Israel, Argentina, and Europe) trial, 687 outpatients were randomly assigned to oral rasagiline (231 individuals; 1 mg once daily), entacapone (227; 200 mg with every levodopa dose), or placebo (229). Primary outcome was change in total daily off-time (intention-to-treat population). Other measures included the clinical global improvement (CGI) score and unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) scores. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: 88 (13%) patients who were assigned treatment did not complete the study (23 rasagiline, 30 entacapone, 35 placebo), mainly because of withdrawal of consent (n=34) and adverse events (n=34). Both rasagiline and entacapone reduced mean daily off-time (-1.18 h rasagiline and -1.2 h entacapone vs placebo -0.4 h; p=0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively) and increased daily on-time without troublesome dyskinesia (0.85 h vs placebo 0.03 h; p=0.0005 for both). We recorded significant mean improvements in CGI scores (-0.86 rasagiline and -0.72 entacapone vs -0.37 placebo; p<0.0001, p=0.0002, respectively). Changes in UPDRS scores also significantly improved for activities of daily living during off-time (-1.71 and -1.38 vs placebo; p<0.0001, p=0.0006, respectively) and motor function during on-time (-2.94 and -2.73 vs placebo; both p<0.0001). Frequency of adverse events was similar for all treatments. INTERPRETATION: Once-daily rasagiline reduces mean daily off-time and improves symptoms of Parkinson's disease in levodopa-treated patients with motor fluctuations, an effect similar to that of entacapone.

Administration, Oral↗

Tolerability, safety, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of rasagiline: a potent, selective, and irreversible monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the tolerability, safety, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of rasagiline after once-daily oral administration of single or repeated doses. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way, single-dose study and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-dose study. SETTING: Clinical research center in France. SUBJECTS: Healthy male volunteers aged 18-40 years (12 in the single-dose study, 24 in the repeated-dose study). INTERVENTION: In the single-dose study, subjects received, in a randomized sequence, single doses of placebo, rasagiline 1 mg, and rasagiline 5 mg; or placebo, rasagiline 2 mg, and rasagiline 10 mg. Six subjects received an additional single dose of rasagiline 20 mg. There was a 2-week washout period between each dose. In the repeated-dose study, subjects were randomized to receive rasagiline 2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg, or placebo once/day for 10 days. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: To assess tolerability and safety, patients underwent physical examinations, vital sign measurements, 12-lead electrocardiograms, clinical laboratory testing, and bleeding time studies. To determine platelet monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) activity and rasagiline pharmacokinetics, blood and urine samples were taken. In the single-dose study, rasagiline 1-20 mg was well tolerated. Each dose significantly inhibited platelet MAO-B activity. In the repeated-dose study, all doses of rasagiline were well tolerated; almost full inhibition of platelet MAO-B activity was achieved with each rasagiline dose. CONCLUSION: Rasagiline is well tolerated at doses up to 20 mg once/day and is a potent inhibitor of platelet MAO-B in humans.

Administration, Oral↗

A randomized placebo-controlled trial of rasagiline in levodopa-treated patients with Parkinson disease and motor fluctuations: the PRESTO study.

BACKGROUND: Rasagiline (n-propargyl-1[R]-aminoindan) mesylate is a novel irreversible selective monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor, previously demonstrated to improve symptoms in early Parkinson disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of rasagiline in levodopa-treated patients with PD and motor fluctuations. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study. PATIENTS: Parkinson disease patients (N = 472) with at least 21/2 hours of daily "off" (poor motor function) time, despite optimized treatment with other anti-PD medications. INTERVENTIONS: Rasagiline, 1.0 or 0.5 mg/d, or matching placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change from baseline in total daily off time measured by patients' home diaries during 26 weeks of treatment, percentage of patients completing 26 weeks of treatment, and adverse event frequency. RESULTS: During the treatment period, the mean adjusted total daily off time decreased from baseline by 1.85 hours (29%) in patients treated with 1.0 mg/d of rasagiline, 1.41 hours (23%) with 0.5 mg/d rasagiline, and 0.91 hour (15%) with placebo. Compared with placebo, patients treated with 1.0 mg/d rasagiline had 0.94 hour less off time per day, and patients treated with 0.5 mg/d rasagiline had 0.49 hour less off time per day. Prespecified secondary end points also improved during rasagiline treatment, including scores on an investigator-rated clinical global impression scale and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (activities of daily living in the off state and motor performance in the "on" state). Rasagiline was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Rasagiline improves motor fluctuations and PD symptoms in levodopa-treated PD patients. In light of recently reported benefits in patients with early illness, rasagiline is a promising new treatment for PD.

Aged↗

Characterization of the neuroprotective activity of rasagiline in cerebellar granule cells.

Rasagiline (N-propargyl-1-R-aminoindan) is a new selective inhibitor of MAO-B which is in development for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective properties of rasagiline and characterize the mechanism by which it exerts its neuroprotective effect in cerebellar granule cells. Cerebellar granule cells were prepared from 7 to 8 days postnatal Sprague-Dawley rats and maintained in high K(+) (25 mM) medium. Rasagiline increased the survival of cerebellar granule cells treated with cytosine beta-D-arabinofuranoside (Ara-C), L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO) or glutamate (100 microM) but did not reduce cell death induced by transferring the cells to physiological K(+) concentration (5 mM) or by serum deprivation. Examination of different derivatives of rasagiline showed that the propargyl moiety is essential to the neuroprotective effect of these molecules, as the compound 1-R-aminoindan (a major metabolite of rasagiline) was devoid of neuroprotective effect in this model system and a rasagiline derivative with a double bond in place of the acetylenic propargyl triple bond was much less effective. The S(-)-enantiomer of rasagiline was also significantly less active than R(+)-rasagiline, as was 6-fluoro rasagiline. Addition of rasagiline (0.1-10 microM) to cerebellar granule cells grown in medium containing a physiological concentration of K(+) did not have an effect on neurite outgrowth as measured by synapsin expression level but increased the density of glial cell processes. The neuroprotective effects of rasagiline may include a direct action on the neurons through inhibition of neuronal death as well as an indirect effect mediated by the astrocytes.

Animals↗

Rasagiline: A second-generation monoamine oxidase type-B inhibitor for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety of rasagiline are reviewed. SUMMARY: Rasagiline is a novel, investigational propargylamine that irreversibly and selectively inhibits monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B). Rasagiline demonstrates complete and selective inhibition of MAO-B and is at least five times more potent than selegiline. Unlike selegiline, which is metabolized to amphetamine derivatives, rasagiline is biotransformed to the nonamphetamine compound aminoindan. Clinical studies have revealed that rasagiline is associated with improved outcomes in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD) and also reduces "off" time in patients with moderate to advanced PD with motor fluctuations. Rasagiline is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. The optimal therapeutic dosage is 0.5-1 mg administered orally once daily. Rasagiline appears to be well tolerated, although elderly patients may be more prone to treatment-emergent adverse cardiovascular and psychiatric effects. At the recommended therapeutic dosage of up to 1 mg once daily, tyramine restriction is unnecessary. In addition to MAO-B inhibition, rasagiline has demonstrated neuroprotective properties in experimental laboratory models. The mechanisms whereby rasagiline exerts neuroprotective effects are multifactorial and include upregulation of cellular antioxidant activity and antiapoptotic factors. CONCLUSION: Rasagiline is an investigational selective and irreversible inhibitor of MAO-B that has demonstrated efficacy and safety for the treatment of PD. Whether rasagiline is associated with clinically significant neuroprotection is the subject of ongoing clinical trials.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Rasagiline improves quality of life in patients with early Parkinson's disease.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of rasagiline as monotherapy on quality of life (QOL) in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD). Rasagiline, a potent, second-generation, irreversible, selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitor improves PD symptoms in patients with early PD. Patients with early untreated PD were randomly assigned to once-daily rasagiline 1 mg/day, rasagiline 2 mg/day, or placebo in a 6-month, double-blind trial (n=404). At the end of 6 months, patients entered the preplanned, active-treatment phase in which those receiving 1 mg/day and 2 mg/day of rasagiline continued on their previously assigned dosages and those receiving placebo switched to rasagiline 2 mg/day, while maintaining blinding to treatment assignments. QOL was measured with the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life questionnaire (PDQUALIF) at 0, 14, 26, and 52 weeks after randomization. Analysis of the change in PDQUALIF scores from baseline to 6 months showed adjusted treatment effects (with 95% confidence interval) favoring rasagiline over placebo of -2.91 units (-5.19, -0.64, P=0.01) for the 1 mg/day group and -2.74 units (-5.02, -0.45, P=0.02) for the 2 mg/day. Subscore analysis attributed most of this benefit to the self-image/sexuality domain. At 12 months (n=266), with all groups receiving rasagiline for at least 6 months, no significant differences in PDQUALIF scores were seen between groups. Rasagiline improved QOL compared with placebo. This QOL improvement appears to be accounted for primarily by the symptomatic benefit of rasagiline.

Aged↗

Effects of N-propargyl-1-(R)aminoindan (rasagiline) in models of motor and cognition disorders.

N-propargyl-1-(R)aminoindan (rasagiline) is a new and selective irreversible MAO-B inhibitor, currently being considered as the mesylate salt for potential therapy in certain neurological disorders. It has been studied in animal models of cognition and motor dysfunction. Its ability to restore normal motor activity was determined in models of acute drug-induced dopaminergic dysfunction: Its effects in improving cognition and memory deficits was studied in adult and senescent rats that had been exposed to prolonged hypoxia, then subjected to the passive and active avoidance tests. In alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MpT)-induced hypokinesia (100-120 mg/kg, i.p.) pretreatment with rasagiline at 2.5 mg/kg i.p. restored motor activity to control level. But pretreatment with reserpine abolished the protective effect of rasagiline. Rasagiline at 0.5 mg/kg/day was protective against alpha-MpT also in hypoxia-lesioned rats. In haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats (1.5 mg/kg, s.c.) or mice (4-6 mg/kg s.c.), rasagiline improved recovery of normal locomotion, gait and coordination at 0.4-2.4 mg/kg i.p. and 1.8-1.5 mg/kg i.p., respectively. In amphetamine-induced stereotypy (0.6 mg/kg s.c., rasagiline potentiated this effect at 1.5 mg/kg i.p. In hypoxia-induced impairment of memory and learning, rasagiline at 0.32-0.5 mg/kg/day per os improved performance of adult rats in passive and active avoidance, and of senescent rats in active avoidance. Selegiline was either ineffective or less effective at equivalent doses. Racemic N-propargyl-1-aminoindan (AGN-1135), besides being of lower potency, had a different dose-dependency than rasagiline in antagonizing haloperidol-induced catalepsy or alpha-MpT-induced hypokinesia. 1-(R)aminoindan ((R)AI), a metabolite of rasagiline, in relatively high doses produced effects that were distinct in certain respects from those of rasagiline.

Aging↗

Rasagiline enhances L-DOPA-induced contralateral turning in the unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned guinea-pig.

The modification of L-3,4-dihydrooxyphenylalanine- (L-DOPA-) induced turning response by the new selective monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor rasagiline was studied in guinea-pigs bearing a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesion in the substantia nigra. In an initial experiment, it was established that contralateral turning is induced in lesioned guinea-pigs in response to apomorphine (18 mg/kg i.p.) and L-DOPA/carbidopa (15/3.5 mg/kg i.p.), while ipsilateral turning is induced by S(+)-methamphetamine (7 mg/kg i.p.). The effect of rasagiline was studied in a chronic treatment regimen, in which animals were treated with rasagiline (0.05 mg/kg s.c.) or saline s.c. daily commencing 2 weeks after lesioning, and L-DOPA/carbidopa (4:1 mg/kg) was administered once daily for 21 days. Only guinea-pigs with 95% or more depletion of striatal dopamine were included in this study. Guinea-pigs treated with rasagiline had a significantly increased intensity and duration of turning in response to L-DOPA (P <0.05 by repeated measures ANOVA) over the 21-day period. On day 21, turning averaged 806+/-105 (n=10) vs 442+/-123 (n=11) turns per 180 min for rasagiline and vehicle treated animals, respectively (P <0.05); turning duration half-time averaged 81+/-15.4 (n=10) as opposed to 33+/-7.6 (n=11) min for rasagiline and vehicle treatments (P <0.01). Concentration of dopamine in intact striatum was significantly increased (69.3+/-2.1 and 60.3+/-2.4 pmol/mg tissue for rasagiline and vehicle, P <0.05) and levels of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid were decreased by the rasagiline treatment. Activity of brain MAO-B was 8.6+/-2.9% and MAO-A was 71+/-1.5% that of control in rasagiline-treated animals. Chronic, selective inhibition of MAO-B by rasagiline potentiated L-DOPA-induced turning in this rodent model.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Rasagiline.

Rasagiline is a second-generation potent, irreversible and selective inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase type B (MAO-B), which has been evaluated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Rasagiline also possesses neuroprotective properties that are independent of its MAO inhibitory activity. Unlike selegiline, rasagiline has no amphetamine-like metabolites and its major metabolite, 1-(R)-aminoindan, has demonstrated favourable pharmacological activity in experimental studies. Rasagiline has shown significant beneficial effects as monotherapy in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease. Monotherapy with rasagiline 1 or 2 mg once daily significantly attenuated the worsening of symptoms, compared with placebo, in patients with early Parkinson's disease in a randomised, double-blind trial (n = 404). Furthermore, patients treated with rasagiline for 12 months had less functional decline than patients whose treatment was delayed for 6 months (n = 371). In patients with moderate-to-advanced disease receiving background therapy with levodopa and additional anti-parkinsonian medications (n = 1159), rasagiline 0.5 or 1 mg once daily reduced the daily 'off' time by 0.49-0.94 hours relative to that in placebo recipients in two randomised, double-blind trials. The efficacy of rasagiline 1 mg once daily was similar to entacapone 200 mg administered with each levodopa dose. Rasagiline was generally well tolerated in clinical trials as both monotherapy and when administered with other antiparkinsonian drugs. Adverse events with rasagiline were generally similar in frequency to those seen in placebo or entacapone recipients.

Biological Availability↗

A controlled, randomized, delayed-start study of rasagiline in early Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with rasagiline mesylate, an irreversible monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor, improves symptoms of early Parkinson disease (PD). Preclinical studies suggest that this compound may also modify the progression of PD. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of early and later initiation of rasagiline on progression of disability in patients with PD. DESIGN: Double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, delayed-start clinical trial. SETTINGS AND PATIENTS: Four hundred four subjects with early PD, not requiring dopaminergic therapy, enrolled at 32 sites in the United States and Canada. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomized to receive rasagiline, 1 or 2 mg/d, for 1 year or placebo for 6 months followed by rasagiline, 2 mg/d, for 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Change in total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score from baseline to 12 months. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-one subjects were included in the 1-year efficacy analysis. Subjects treated with rasagiline, 2 mg/d, for 1 year had a 2.29-unit smaller increase in mean adjusted total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score compared with subjects treated with placebo for 6 months followed by rasagiline, 2 mg/d, for 6 months (P =.01). The mean adjusted difference between the placebo/rasagiline, 2 mg/d, group and those receiving rasagiline, 1 mg/d, for 1 year was -1.82 unit on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score (P =.05). CONCLUSION: Subjects treated with rasagiline, 2 and 1 mg/d, for 12 months showed less functional decline than subjects whose treatment was delayed for 6 months.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Effects of tyramine administration in Parkinson's disease patients treated with selective MAO-B inhibitor rasagiline.

Rasagiline is a novel, potent, and selective MAO-B inhibitor shown to be effective for Parkinson's disease. Traditional nonselective MAO inhibitors have been associated with dietary tyramine interactions that can induce hypertensive reactions. To test safety, tyramine challenges (50-75 mg) were performed in 72 rasagiline-treated and 38 placebo-treated Parkinson's disease (PD) patients at the end of two double-blind placebo-controlled trials of rasagiline. An abnormal pressor response was prespecified as three consecutive measurements of systolic blood pressure (BP) increases of >or= 30 mm Hg and/or bradycardia of < 40 beats/min. In the first study involving 55 patients with early PD on rasagiline monotherapy, no patients randomized to rasagiline (1 mg/2 mg; n = 38) or placebo (n = 17) developed systolic BP (SBP) or heart rate changes indicative of a tyramine reaction. In the second trial involving 55 levodopa-treated patients, 3 of 22 subjects on rasagiline 0.5 mg/day and 1 of 21 subjects on placebo developed asymptomatic, self-limiting SBP elevations >or= 30 mm Hg on three measurements. No subject on 1 mg/day rasagiline (0/12) experienced significant BP or heart rate changes following tyramine ingestion. These data demonstrate that rasagiline 0.5 to 2 mg daily is not associated with clinically significant tyramine reactions and can be used as monotherapy or adjunct to levodopa in PD patients without specific dietary tyramine restriction.

Administration, Oral↗

Contrasting neuroprotective and neurotoxic actions of respective metabolites of anti-Parkinson drugs rasagiline and selegiline.

The anti-Parkinson selective irreversible monoamine oxidase B inhibitor drugs, rasagiline and selegiline, have been shown to possess neuroprotective activities in cell culture and in vivo models. While rasagiline is metabolized to its major metabolite aminoindan, selegiline gives rise to L-methamphetamine. Cultured PC-12 cells in absence of serum and nerve growth factor (NGF) die by an apoptotic process. Pretreatment of PC12 cells in absence of serum and NGF for 24 h with either rasagiline (1 microM) or selegiline (1 microM) is neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic as determined by ELISA and MTT tests. However, while aminoindan (1 microM), the major metabolite of rasagiline does not interfere with the neuroprotective activities of rasagiline or selegiline in PC-12 cells deprived of serum and NGF, the major metabolite of selegiline, L-methamphetamine (1 microM), inhibits them. In contrast to L-methamphetamine, aminoindan is itself is neuroprotective in this system. Recently it has been demonstrated that rasagiline directly activates PKC-MAP kinase pathway by a concentration and time dependent phosphorylation of p42 and p44 MAP kinase. In the present studies the neuroprotective activity of rasagiline is blocked by ERK inhibitor, PD98059 (20 microM), suggesting the involvement of PKC-MAP kinase pathway in the neuroprotection. These findings may have implication for the possible disease modifying action of rasagiline in treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Animals↗

Pharmacological properties of the anti-Parkinson drug rasagiline; modification of endogenous brain amines, reserpine reversal, serotonergic and dopaminergic behaviours.

Rasagiline [N-propargyl-1R(+)-aminoindan; TVP1012] is a potent irreversible monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor with selectivity for type B of the enzyme, which is being developed for treatment of Parkinson's disease. In this study we examined effects of rasagiline on CNS monoamine levels, modification of behavioural response to L-tryptophan, fluoxetine and L-DOPA, and reversal of reserpine syndrome. Reserpine-induced ptosis was reversed by rasagiline at doses above 2 mg x kg(-1) i.p., which inhibit MAO-A as well as MAO-B, but not at MAO-B-selective doses. However, combination of rasagiline (10 mg x kg(-1) i.p.) with L-DOPA or L-tryptophan (50 mg x kg(-1) i.p.), or rasagiline (10 mg x kg(-1) p.o.) with fluoxetine (10 mg x kg(-1) p.o.), did not induce the behavioural hyperactivity syndrome which is seen following inhibition of both MAO-A and MAO-B by tranylcypromine together with the monoamine precursors. Following oral administration, levels of noradrenaline (NA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) were unaffected in hippocampus and striatum after single doses of rasagiline up to 2 mg x kg(-1). Following chronic oral administration (21 days, one dose daily), levels of NA, 5-HT and DA in hippocampus and striatum were unaffected by rasagiline at doses up to 1 mg x kg(-1). Rasagiline does not modify CNS monoamine tissue levels or monoamine-induced behavioural syndromes at doses which selectively inhibit MAO-B but not MAO-A.

Animals↗

Rasagiline [N-propargyl-1R(+)-aminoindan], a selective and potent inhibitor of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase B.

1. Rasagiline [N-propargyl-1R(+)-aminoindan], was examined for its monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B inhibitor activities in rats together with its S(-)-enantiomer (TVP 1022) and the racemic compound (AGN-1135) and compared to selegiline (1-deprenyl). The tissues that were studied for MAO inhibition were the brain, liver and small intestine. 2. While rasagiline and AGN1135 are highly potent selective irreversible inhibitors of MAO in vitro and in vivo, the S(-) enantiomer is relatively inactive in the tissues examined. 3. The in vitro IC(50) values for inhibition of rat brain MAO activity by rasagiline are 4.43+/-0.92 nM (type B), and 412+/-123 nM (type A). The ED(50) values for ex vivo inhibition of MAO in the brain and liver by a single dose of rasagiline are 0.1+/-0.01, 0.042+/-0.0045 mg kg(-1) respectively for MAO-B, and 6.48+/-0.81, 2.38+/-0.35 mg kg(-1) respectively for MAO-A. 4. Selective MAO-B inhibition in the liver and brain was maintained on chronic (21 days) oral dosage with ED(50) values of 0.014+/-0.002 and 0.013+/-0.001 mg kg(-1) respectively. 5. The degree of selectivity of rasagiline for inhibition of MAO-B as opposed to MAO-A was similar to that of selegiline. Rasagiline was three to 15 times more potent than selegiline for inhibition of MAO-B in rat brain and liver in vivo on acute and chronic administration, but had similar potency in vitro. 6. These data together with lack of tyramine sympathomimetic potentiation by rasagiline, at selective MAO-B inhibitory dosage, indicate that this inhibitor like selegiline may be a useful agent in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in either symptomatic or L-DOPA adjunct therapy, but lack of amphetamine-like metabolites could present a therapeutic advantage for rasagiline.

Animals↗

The importance of propargylamine moiety in the anti-Parkinson drug rasagiline and its derivatives in MAPK-dependent amyloid precursor protein processing.

Rasagiline [N-propargyl-(1R)-aminoindan] a highly potent selective irreversible monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B inhibitor exerts neuroprotective and antiapoptotic effects against a variety of insults in cell cultures and in vivo and has finished its phase III clinical trials for Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we show that rasagiline (1 and 10 microM) significantly protected rat PC12 cells against beta-amyloid (Abeta1-42) toxicity. In addition, rasagiline significantly increased (approximately threefold) the secretion of the nonamyloidogenic soluble form of the amyloid precursor protein (sAPPalpha) from SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and PC12 cells. The increase of sAPPalpha was dose-dependent and was blocked by the hydroxamic acid-based metalloprotease inhibitor Ro31-9790 (100 microM), suggesting that the effect is mediated via alpha-secretase activity. Rasagiline-induced sAPPalpha release was significantly reduced by the inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), GF109203X, and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) PD98059. Moreover, rasagiline dose dependently (0.1-10 microM) increased the phosphorylation of p44 and p42 MAPK, which was abolished by PD98059 (30 microM) and GF109203X (2.5 microM). By comparing the actions of rasagiline with those of its S-isomer TVP1022, which is not an MAO inhibitor, we have been able to demonstrate that MAO-B inhibition is not a prerequisite for either sAPPalpha-induced release or ERK phosphorylation. In addition, structure-activity relationship among rasagiline-related compounds suggests the crucial role of the propargyl moiety in these molecules, because propargylamine itself significantly induced the secretion of sAPPalpha and increased MAPK phosphorylation with similar potency to that of rasagiline and its derivatives.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

Regulation of protein kinase C by the anti-Parkinson drug, MAO-B inhibitor, rasagiline and its derivatives, in vivo.

We have recently shown that the anti-Parkinson-propargyl-containing monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor drug, rasagiline [N-propargyl-(1R)-aminoindan], and its cholinesterase inhibitor derivatives TV3326 and TV3279, regulate amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing by a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent mechanism in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and PC12 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of rasagiline and its derivatives on the regulation of the PKC-dependent mechanism and APP processing under in vivo conditions. Administration of rasagiline (0.1 mg/kg) to male C57/BL mice for 14 days significantly decreased membrane-bound holoprotein APP levels in the hippocampus. Additionally, we observed that rasagiline up-regulated p-PKC levels and the expression of alpha and epsilon PKC isozymes in the hippocampus, indicating that the mechanism by which rasagiline affects APP processing may be related to PKC-associated signalling. The results also demonstrate that rasagiline treatment significantly elevated the levels of phosphorylated myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (p-MARCKS), a major substrate for PKC, as well as the levels of receptors for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1). Similar effects on APP and PKC levels were also demonstrated for the two cholinesterase inhibitor derivatives of rasagiline, TV3326 and TV3279. These results indicate that rasagiline and its derivatives regulate PKC-dependent mechanisms and APP processing. The activation and induction of PKC and MARCKS by these drugs may have a crucial role not only in their neuroprotective activity, but also in their ability to affect neuronal plasticity and spatial learning processes.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗

Rasagiline mesylate, a new MAO-B inhibitor for the treatment of Parkinson's disease: a double-blind study as adjunctive therapy to levodopa.

Rasagiline mesylate (TVP-1012) is a potent, selective, non-reversible MAO-B inhibitor, without the tyramine-potentiating effect and with neuroprotective activities. The benefit of rasagiline as monotherapy in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD) has already been reported. To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and clinical effect of rasagiline as adjunctive therapy to levodopa, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/d) was conducted for 12 weeks in 70 patients with PD (mean age, 57.4 y; mean disease duration, 5.7 y; 32 patients had motor fluctuations). A beneficial clinical effect was observed in fluctuating patients treated with rasagiline (all doses), expressed as a decrease in total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score (23.0% vs 8.5% in the placebo group). The treatment effect was still evident 6 weeks after drug discontinuation (in all doses). The safety and tolerability of rasagiline were good. Adverse events were no different than those of patients taking placebo. Almost complete platelet MAO-B inhibition was obtained at all rasagiline doses. This study has demonstrated that rasagiline (up to 2 mg/day) has a good safety profile and a beneficial clinical effect in fluctuating patients with PD when given as an add-on to chronic levodopa therapy.

Adult↗

A controlled trial of rasagiline in early Parkinson disease: the TEMPO Study.

CONTEXT: Monotherapy with rasagiline mesylate may be useful in early Parkinson disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the selective monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor rasagiline. DESIGN: Multicenter, 26-week, parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Academically based movement disorders clinics. PATIENTS: Patients with early PD not requiring dopaminergic therapy (n = 404). INTERVENTION: Research participants were randomized to rasagiline mesylate at dosages of 1 mg or 2 mg per day or matching placebo. A 1-week escalation period was followed by a 25-week maintenance period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary prespecified measure of efficacy was the change in the total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scal score between baseline and 26 weeks of treatment, comparing each active treatment group with the placebo group. RESULTS: Monotherapy with rasagiline was effective in this 26-week study. The adjusted effect size for the total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale was -4.20 units comparing 1 mg of rasagiline and placebo (95% confidence interval, -5.66 to -2.73 units; P<.001) and -3.56 units comparing a 2-mg dosage and placebo (95% confidence interval, -5.04 to -2.08 units; P<.001). There were no meaningful differences in the frequency of adverse events or premature withdrawals among the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Rasagiline is effective as monotherapy for patients with early PD. The 2 dosages in this trial were both effective relative to placebo. Further study is warranted to evaluate the longer-term effects of rasagiline in PD.

Aged↗