Effect of rasagiline on balance in Parkinson's disease as measured by computerized posturography

Background: Falls occur in a majority of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Balance disturbance can be measured by computer dynamic posturography. The effect of monoamine oxidase inhibition on PD patients as measured by computer dynamic posturography has not been previously studies. Methods: The study will test the hypothesis that therapy with rasagiline improves balance in PD patients as measured by computerized dynamic posturography. 5 subjects will be randomized to rasagiline or placebo and 5 further subjects will be randomized to rasagiline as adjuvant therapy versus placebo. Subjects will be analyzed by computerized dynamic posturography testing. The device measures body sway under varying visual and vestibular cues and is used for assessment of balance. Subjects will be evaluated at baseline prior to taking first tablet as well as at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. In the adjuvant therapy arm, subjects will be evaluated on rasagiline but in a functional OFF state for their other PD medications. If the scores are normally distributed, we will determine whether data variance is approximately equal in all tested groups. If these conditions are met, data evaluation will continue using repeated measures ANOVA with between factor of drug (levels: rasagiline, placebo) and within factor of treatment (levels: before, after). Level of significance will be preset to 0.05.