Posted by Adam on August 9, 1999, at 16:58:39
In reply to Re:MAOI Type A or B?, posted by robin on August 9, 1999, at 8:46:35
> What is the difference between a type A or B Maoi? If type A helps with your mood what does type B help with?
>
> Thanks,
> RobinMAO-A is found throughout the body, including the gut, and largely deaminates
serotonin and norepinepherine (as well as tyramine in the gut), though it does
have some low and non-specific activity on dopamine. MAO-B is found in the brain
and primarily deamniates dopamine.I have read that inhibition of MAO-B alone is not sufficient for the treatment of
depression, and in the case of selegiline, low doses (5mg/day, when there is only
inhibition of MAO-B) are not sufficient for that indication. However, selegiline
has been shown to be efficacious at higher doses, where MAO-A is also inhibited.
There may be a benefit in the dopaminergic effects of selegiline in addition to
its serotonergic and norepinepherinergic effects. For example, as some have posted
above, it may improve some cognitive functioning and sex drive.This is all anecdotal, of course. I have seen nothing in the literature that clearly
demonstrates that a robust dopaminergic effect is of any real benefit in treating
depression.
poster:Adam
thread:5905
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/9818.html