Review on Novel Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: A Clinician’s Guide

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to provide information on the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of four novel antidepressants: pirlindole, safinamide, selegiline, and toloxatone. In spite of the initial pharmacological interest, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors are used in clinics for their antidepressant effects and in the treatment of Parkinson’s syndrome due to proven neuroprotective effects. Patients with a lack of efficacy or tolerability for some monoamine oxidase inhibitors may benefit from the option of a new one monoamine oxidase inhibitors with various mechanism of actions. In the selection of newer monoamine oxidase inhibitors, these drugs may be an alternative. The simple deficiency of serotonin in the brain does not cause depression, but rather a complex interplay of different neurotransmitters, including some regions of the brain include serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and histamine. The novel monoamine oxidase inhibitors described above exert their therapeutic advantages by acting on multiple neurotransmitters. When formulating a plan of treatment, the ambiguity of the underlying neurobiological process should be considered.