Adjunctive MAO-B or COMT inhibitors to optimize levodopa treatment in PD

The most commonly used Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment is the replacement of dopamine with its levodopa precursor. Angelo Antonini, MD, PhD, University of Padua, Padua, Italy, discusses strategies to optimize levodopa treatment in PD patients with motor fluctuations. Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) and catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) are enzymes involved in the metabolism and regulation of dopamine availability. Adding a COMT or MAO-B inhibitor to levodopa therapy has been shown to prolong levodopa's effectiveness, reduce the amount of levodopa required to control the symptoms, and minimize motor fluctuations. Therefore, their use can be beneficial for managing motor complications, improving patients' quality of life, and treatment adherence. This interview took place at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) 2022 Congress in Vienna, Austria.