Department of Neurology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Published: October 2023
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative condition due to the degeneration of nigral dopaminergic cells. Both motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS) of PD produce a marked impairment in PD patients' quality of life (QoL), but contrary to motor features, NMS do not improve with dopamine replacement. Novel therapeutic interventions for PD have successfully controlled most motor manifestations of PD, but the management of NMS is still challenging. Since NMS have a negative impact on the QoL of PD patients, researchers are currently looking for drugs that can modulate the activity of neurotransmitter systems other than dopamine in the hope that can alleviate NMS in PD. Among the recently approved drugs for patients experiencing fluctuations in motor symptoms, safinamide stands out as an effective add-on therapy to levodopa. Safinamide is a monoamine oxidase type-B inhibitor (MAOB-I), with proven efficacy in reducing motor fluctuations. Its distinctive mechanism of action impacts dopaminergic pathways via MAOB inhibition and glutamatergic pathways by blocking sodium and calcium channels. Findings from Phase III clinical trials, meta-analysis, post-hoc analysis, and real-life experiences indicate that safinamide benefits motor symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and gait. Additionally, it shows promise for improving NMS like fatigue, pain, mood, and sleep disturbances in patients with PD.
Areas Covered: In this article, the authors explore the impact of safinamide on patient-reported outcomes in PD. A thorough search was conducted on PubMed focusing on studies published between 2018 and 2023 in English. The inclusion criteria encompassed clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and reviews. The search strategy revolved around the implementation of MeSH terms related to safinamide and its impact on the quality of life in PD.
Conclusion: Our data strongly support the improving effect on QoL, reducing the disabling NMS reported in patients with PD.
Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) involves the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, leading to motor and non-motor symptoms that significantly impact patients' quality of life. Safinamide modulates dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems, offering a promising treatment approach.
Methods: This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of safinamide as an add-on therapy to levodopa for PD patients with motor fluctuations.
Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is the most common preventable cause of morbidity. Despite rapid advances in medicine, effective pharmacological treatment against SCI has not yet been confirmed. This study aimed to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects of safinamide after SCI in a rat model.
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Kerei and Zhanibek khandar street 5/1, Astana 020000, Kazakhstan; Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, and Pain Medicine, National Research Oncology Center, Kerei and Zhanibek khandar street 5/1, Astana 020000, Kazakhstan. Electronic address:
Introduction: Pain is often neglected in Parkinson's disease (PD), although it impacts most PD patients. While the mechanism of pain in PD is still being studied, various pharmacological, interventional, and alternative treatment options have been offered for pain relief. Safinamide, a recently approved drug for PD, has shown promising results in improving pain in patients with PD.
Parkinson disease (PD) impacts nearly 1 million individuals in the United States. Nearly every patient with PD will require therapy with dopamine in the form of levodopa as the disease progresses. In more advanced stages of the disease, patients will experience motor fluctuations and require adjustment to their medication regimens to maintain good control of their symptoms.
