Two years ago, the latest research seemed to indicate that Eldepryl
(Selegiline HCl) was a promising drug for slowing down the progression
or deterioration of Parkinson's Disease.  Has more recent research
(and any meta-analysis of that research) supported the likelihood that
this drug is effective for that specific purpose?   Or weakened the
support?   Or shifted the thinking about just what are the precise
benefits for early-stage Parkinson's patients?  Or discredited the
drug entirely?

Hi! Thanks for the question. 

Here are the latest pronouncements and research about Eldepryl
(Selegiline HCl).Based on the reports and new studies, Eldepryl is now
recognized as a legitimate treatment for Parkinson's disease. I will
provide some snippets from the articles but I highly recommend that
you read them in their entirety so as to get a better coverage.

“Eldepryl (selegiline):   Currently selegiline is not used much in the
USA except in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, where it used at
low dose (5-10mg/day) to boost the effects of L-DOPA. When taken alone
at low dose, selegiline is a selective MAO-B inhibitor (boosting
mainly dopamine in the brain), yet has no proven efficacy in any
depressive or anxiety disorder. Still, it can be useful (at low dose)
in Tourette's, narcolepsy, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), and
chronic fatigue. At higher doses (20mg/day) - selegiline has a whole
different profile - since it additionally inhibits MAO-A. It loses
some of the above "low dose" uses - and has potent antidepressant
effects similar to Parnate. Currently the FDA is evaluating a
"transdermal patch" delivery of selegiline (20mg/day) for approval as
a "new" (new patent) antidepressant. The main advantage of the patch
is a lack of need for dietary restrictions.”

“Social Phobia  /  Social Anxiety Disorder:   Effective Treatment
2003”
March 2003
http://www.socialfear.com/ 

“Selegiline (Eldepryl, Movergan), also known as deprenyl, is an
antioxidant drug that blocks monoamine oxidase B (MAOB), an enzyme
that degrades dopamine. Until recently, selegiline (Eldepryl,
Movergan), or deprenyl, was the drug most commonly used in early-onset
disease and in combination with levodopa for maintenance. A 2001 study
reported that it may help delay the onset of gait freezing.
Rasagiline, another MAO-B inhibitor, is showing promise in trials.”

“WHAT ARE OTHER DRUGS USED FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE?”
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ucdhs/health/a-z/51Parkinsons/doc51otherdrugs.html

WebMD provides a description of Eldepryl and has updated it since Aug
1, 2002 according to the note under the page.

“Selegiline is used to treat Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease
is associated with low levels of a chemical called dopamine (doe PA
meen) in your brain. The exact way that selegiline works is unknown.
However, it is believed that selegiline prevents the breakdown of
dopamine in your brain. Selegiline is usually added to a treatment
regimen after levodopa / carbidopa therapy begins to deteriorate.”

“Selegiline is used to treat the stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor
muscle control of Parkinson's disease. It is also used to treat the
same muscular conditions when they are caused by drugs such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine
(Trilafon), and others.”

“Selegiline”
http://my.webmd.com/content/drugs/4/4046_1623.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}#moreinfo

In very recent reports, Eldepryl has also been found to be promising
in the realms of assisting smokers in the withdrawal period and in the
treatment of decreased mental function in HIV patients.

“But Yale researchers report in the Jan. 15 issue of Biological
Psychiatry that treating hard-core smokers with Eldepryl not only
helped curb their cravings, it enabled them to remain smoke-free for
at least one month -- the government's measure of quitting -- at a
rate six times better than a placebo. Each of the 40 smokers studied
had tried to quit several times before with no success.”

“Parkinson's Drug May Help Smokers Quit”
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/59/66872.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}

“Selegiline hydrochloride is approved by the FDA for the treatment of
Parkinson's disease. The investigational transdermal (patch) form of
selegiline is not yet approved by the FDA for use outside of clinical
trials, but is being studied for the treatment of HIV effects on the
nervous system.”

“Eldepryl (Selegiline hydrochloride)”
http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/document/data/Drug_lib/NonTechnical/DRUG_Non_Tech_0237.html#Trials

Search terms used:       
eldepryl Selegiline research 2003  
      
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
      
Thanks for visiting us.       
      
Regards,       
Easterangel-ga       
Google Answers Researcher

---

Request for Answer Clarification by doctordoris-ga on 15 Mar 2003 13:23 PST

I was hoping for recent (2002, 2003, possibly 2001) research results. 
Better yet, for a meta-analysis of several research studies. (Please
re-read my question.)  Your answer does not contain much along the
line of specific research results and meta-analyses.  Is this because
they don't exist?  Or because simply searching for "research 2003" was
not a sufficiently thorough and sophisticated search?  I hope you can
find more for me.  Thanks very much.

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 15 Mar 2003 21:05 PST

Hi! Thanks for asking a clarification before making a rating. Yes I
have fully understood your question and couldn't find newer studies
about Eldepryl on Parkinson's disease. Due to the vastness of the
internet, I am not saying that there is absolutely no research but
from my own searches, it does not find further results. The search
terms I used are right on but no such results were found.

But as you can see the resources I sighted mentions that the articles
(not only the web pages) are updated ones for 2003 so this means that
this is the real current views of experts on Eldepryl. It is highly
possible that no new published research has yet been completed since
Parkinson's Disease is a very high media profile condition with very
wide coverage. One could also surmised that since it is being tested
on other conditions like smoking and in AIDS, it is now being expanded
for futher use.

I hope that my clarification supplements the essence of my answer.

In case you would need further assistance as regards to this question.
Please do not hesitate to ask for another clarification.

Best Regards,
Easterangel-ga

I am an enthusiastic fan of Google Answers after receiving several
helpful answers  in the past.  But this time I was disappointed by the
answer--and even more dissatisfied with the "clarification".