A study for testing the new drug for Parkinson's disease has shown results, which are initiating sharply differing reactions from neurologists.

The FDA had approved the drug, rasagiline (Azilect), in2006 by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration on the basis of studies showing that it reduced the symptoms such as trembling and slowed motion.

The new study was undertaken to find out if the drug also acts on the underlying nerve deterioration which is the basis of causing the disease.

The study involved 1,176 people with a previously untreated Parkinson's disease who were seen at medical centers around the world. In the beginning half of them took daily doses of either 1 miligram or 2 miligram of rasagiline for 36 weeks, while the other half took a placebo. Later everyone took the same quantities for 36 weeks.

It was observed through a complex system of measuring the treatment that the ones who took 1 milligram doses showed improvement as compared to those who took 2 milligram doses.

Study author Dr. C. Warren Olanow, a professor of neurology and neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City said that there was no proof that rasagiline is neuro- protective but there was no other explanation either for the results. He also agreed that he would prescribe this drug to Parkinson's patients.

Dr. William J. Weiner, chair of neurology at the University of Maryland, who took part in the study differed on this point and said that the report does not say that this drug is neuro-protective.

He suggested examining the methods used to determine trial results. He said the end results were unimpressive and maintained that this drug can benefit Parkinson's patients but their hopes should not be raised without further research.