Question

A bio-psychology question.

- Explain how Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Selective Monoamine-Reuptake Inhibitors support the "mono-amine theory" of depression.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors is the antidepressant drug that are used in treating depression patients but limitations of using this restrict various food intake.

Mechanism of MAOIs

It inhibits or block the enzyme that is necessary for breaking down the different types of neurotransmitters from the brain, dopamine, serotonin, nonepinhrine, tyramine.

Monoamine oxidase(MOA) classified into two types

1. MOA A-found into placenta, gut, liver

Substrate for MAO A- serotonin, noradrenaline

2. MOA B- found brain, liver, placenta

Substrate for MAO B-phenylethylamine, tryptamine

Monoamine reuptake inhibitors as name suggest to reuptake of one or more neurotransmitters that dopamine, non epinephrine by blocking MATS (monoamine transporters)

As monoamine does not cross blood brain inhibitor so, when the depletion of monoamine in brain ,so to increase the monoamine molecules through nutritional means cofactors that are needed for its synthesis.Feed back biochemical mechanism precursors of monoamine increase its number into brain .