Posted by Racer on January 15, 2008, at 15:24:47
In reply to Isn't this section for neurotransmitters, not meds, posted by stargazer2 on January 15, 2008, at 8:52:09
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> My interest is knowing what chemicals (NT's) are targeted by Nardil and understanding why Nardil works better for me than any other meds for depression, except with lots of physical side effects...Why?
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> stargazerNardil, like the other MAOIs, targets a chemical called monoamine oxydase, rather than having any direct effect on the big three neurotransmitters. Monoamine oxydase is the enzyme which breaks down the catecholamines -- serotonin, norepinephrine, et al -- once they've delivered their messages. By binding to MAO, the MAOIs disable it, leaving the neurotransmitters to hang around longer.
Nardil, Parnate, and Selegeline, bind irreversibly to MAO, disabling its effects until such time as your body has produced more of the stuff. That's why there's ALWAYS a wash-out period after you stop taking them and before starting another medication. There is a reversible MAOI, but it's not available in the US, and I forget its name.
There are two sorts of MAO, MAO-A and MAO-B, and they're active all over your CNS and gut. I'm having a "stupid" day today, so I can't remember the details, but one -- maybe MAO-B? -- is more active in the gut, the other in the brain. The problem with the traditional MAOIs is that they are non-specific -- they go after both sorts, and they bind everywhere they find 'em. That's why there are dietary restrictions, and their non-specificity is why you may have side effects: they disable the effects of MAO, which breaks down multiple compounds in the body, so they'll have effects beyond those desired.
Hope that helps.
poster:Racer
thread:806669
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080114/msgs/806715.html