Neuroprotection

Parkinson's disease progresses in most patients with time. Therefore there is tremendous interest in finding a means to reduce this progression through the use of "neuroprotectants".

Vitamins

The role of vitamins in delaying the onset or halting the progression of PD remains unknown. Nevertheless their use for this is common: A recent study study revealed that 40% of all people with PD use one or more forms of alternative therapy, the most common therapy being multi-vitamins. Although one large study revealed no effect of vitamin E (an anti-oxidant) in delaying the onset of PD, many still recommend its use. Work is on-going on the potential role of vitamin C (an anti-oxidant) in delaying the onset or halting the progression of PD.

Conzyme Co Q10

A preliminary study of CoQ10 showed potential benefits of slowing the progression of the disease. However, it was a small study (only about 80 patients total), and the study authors suggested that rather than everyone talking this compound, more and larger studies were recommended first. The dose was 1200mg per day, which equates to about $4 per day. CoQ10 is avaialable over the counter as a dietary supplement/vitamin.

Selegiline (Deprenyl)

While initially thought to be neuroprotective, subsequent studies do not support a neuroproctective effect of selegiline. The quality standards subcommitte of the AAN concluded that selegiline has mild symptomatic benefit but no convincing evidence for neuroprotection.

In any case, it is clear that selegiline provides no neuroprotective effect once levodopa is initiated.