[The role of inhibitors of COMT and MAO-B in the therapy of Parkinson's disease]. / Grundlagen und Stellenwert der COMT- und MAO-B-Inhibitoren in der Therapie des idiopathischen Parkinson-Syndroms.

Inhibitors of COMT and MAO-B are well established in the pharmacotherapy of Parkinson's disease (PD). MAO-B inhibitors are used as monotherapy as well as in combination with levodopa, whereas COMT inhibitors exert their effects only in conjungtion with levodopa. Both classes of compounds prolong the response duration of levodopa and optimise its clinical benefit. As a result, the ON-times are prolonged significantly. In the past, MAO-B inhibitors were also adminstered for neuroprotection; however, despite convincing scientific reasoning in support of neuroprotective effects, these could not be substantiated in clinical studies performed so far.