The Role of MAO-B Inhibitors in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Selegiline was first discovered in the 1960s and has been lauded as a virtual fountain of youth due to its potential neuroprotective effects,1 only to be later denigrated as a suspected cause of higher mortality in patients with Parkinson s disease (PD).2 While neither of these extreme viewpoints seems reasonable now, selegiline nevertheless still invokes lively discussion regarding its role as a ther apeutic agent for PD and a variety of other neuropsychiatric illnesses. In this section, we review the historical development of selegiline, its mechanism of action, shortand long-term clinical trials, and conclude with current recommendations for its use in the management of PD.