Study of Rasagiline in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Inclusion Criteria: * Possible, probable (clinically or laboratory) or definite ALS according to the revised version of the El Escorial World Federation of Neurology criteria * Disease duration more than 6 months and less than 3 years (inclusive). Disease onset defined as date of first muscle weakness, excluding fasciculations and cramps * Vital capacity more than 50% of normal (slow vital capacity; best of three measurements) * Age: ≥ 18 years * Continuously treated with 100 mg riluzole for at least four weeks * Capable of thoroughly understanding all information given and giving full informed consent according to GCP * Women of childbearing age must be non-lactating and surgically sterile or using a highly effective method of birth control and have a negative pregnancy test. Acceptable methods of birth control with a low failure rate i.e. less than 1% per year) when used consistently and correct are such as implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), or double-barrier methods (condom or diaphragm with spermicidal agent or IUD), sexual abstinence or vasectomized partner Exclusion Criteria: * Previous participation in another clinical study within the preceding 12 weeks * Tracheostomy or assisted ventilation of any type during the preceding three months * Gastrostomy * Any medical condition known to have an association with motor neuron dysfunction which might confound or obscure the diagnosis of ALS * Presence of any concomitant life-threatening disease or impairment likely to interfere with functional assessment * Patients on sympathomimetic agents. This includes pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and ephedrine. * Patients on analgesics with serotoninergic properties such as meperidine, tramadol, methadone and propoxyphene. * Patients on serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This includes fluoxetine or fluvoxamine. * Patients on dextromethorphan, St. John's wort, cyclobenzaprine or other MAO inhibitors (selective or non-selective) * Patients taking Antidepressants * Confirmed hepatic insufficiency or abnormal liver function (ASAT and/or ALAT greater than 3 times the upper limit of the normal range) * Renal insufficiency (serum creatinine more than 2.26 mg/dL) * Evidence of major psychiatric disorder or clinically evident dementia precluding evaluation of symptoms * Known hypersensitivity to any component of the study drug * Liable to be not cooperative or comply with the trial requirements (as assessed by the investigator), or unable to be reached in the case of emergency * Female with childbearing potential, if no adequate contraceptive measures are used * Pregnancy or breast-feeding females