The recent study has shown that a drug can slow down the progression of the Parkinson’’s disease. This study conducted by a team of international researchers has shown that early use of rasagiline, also known as Azilect, can slow down progression of Parkinson’’s disease. According to statistics, 10,000 cases of the Parkinson disease are diagnosed in Britain every year.

The study found that patients who took the drug rasagiline soon after diagnosis had a less aggressive form of Parkinson’s as compared to those who did not take it until later. The study showed that the drug could work by creating a long lasting protection for brain cells.  

Researchers analyzed the data collected from 1,000 patients. Professor David Burn, from the University of Newcastle, one of the researchers said, “The data show that early treatment can result in a slowing of clinical progression. These data are also consistent with an earlier trial with rasagiline which showed a similar outcome.”

He added that this study may offer real benefit to patients who are treated promptly after diagnosis.

It is also a fact that many GPs don’t prescribe drugs to Parkinson's patients too early because the effects of some medications can wear off or cause serious side effects in the long term. But this study showed that patients who took the drug within four months of being diagnosed had a permanent advantage over patients who were given the treatment six months later.

Researchers added that further research is required to check long term benefits of the results of this study. Most of the patients involved in the study had been taking rasagiline from 18 months only.