How effective is selegiline/midopir in the treatment of Parkinson's disease?

Selegiline/imidopir(Selegiline) is a monoamine oxidaseB (MAO-B) inhibitor commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Its core mechanism of action is to inhibit the degradation of dopamine in the brain, thereby increasing the availability of dopamine between synapses. This effect can improve motor symptoms such as tremor, stiffness, and bradykinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease, and may also delay the onset of complications related to dopamine replacement therapies (such as levodopa).

Clinical studies have shown that selegiline can be used as a monotherapy in early-stage Parkinson's disease patients to help alleviate mild to moderate dyskinesia; in the progressive stage of the disease, it is often used in combination with levodopa to enhance the efficacy and prolong the action time of levodopa. Compared with levodopa treatment alone, combined use of selegiline can reduce the occurrence of "on-off" phenomenon and movement fluctuations to a certain extent, and improve the quality of patients' daily life.

Additionally, selegiline may provide certain cognitive and mood benefits. Some patients show mild mood improvement and increased mental energy during long-term treatment, which may be related to increased levels of dopamine and phenethylamine. However, these additional effects are not the main purpose of treatment and vary depending on individual differences. In overseas guidelines, selegiline is often recommended for patients with early- to mid-stage Parkinson’s disease, and is especially suitable for patients who wish to delay the initiation of levodopa or reduce the dosage of levodopa.

It is important to note that although selegiline can improve symptoms, it does not reverse neuron loss and cannot cure Parkinson's disease. Drug efficacy is closely related to the patient's disease duration, dose adjustment, and individual tolerance. When formulating a treatment plan, doctors will comprehensively evaluate the severity of symptoms, quality of life needs, and possible adverse reactions, such as insomnia, anxiety, or minor blood pressure changes, to ensure that the drug remains safe while improving motor symptoms.

Reference: https://www.drugs.com/mtm/selegiline.html