A word that everyone else is afraid to define except in utter seriousness, for fear of being branded a rascist, in total ignorance of the colloquial usage of the word, its characterization in popular culture, and the populations of people it is used most by.
Monoamine oxidase. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are chemicals which inhibit the activity of the monoamine oxidase enzyme family. They have a long history of use as medications prescribed for the treatment of depression. They are particularly effective in treating atypical depression.AOIs act by inhibiting the activity of monoamine oxidase, thus preventing the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters and thereby increasing their availability. There are two isoforms of monoamine oxidase, MAO-A and MAO-B.
MAOIs were the first type of antidepressant developed, and became widely used in the 1950s. A monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or MAOI, is a type of antidepressant drug. MAOIs balance the level of certain chemicals in the brain by inhibiting the enzyme known as monoamine oxidase. MAOIs were the first type of antidepressant developed, and became widely used in the 1950s. A monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or MAOI, is a type of antidepressant drug. In addition to treating depression, MAOIs are sometimes used to treat such conditions as: 1  Bipolar disorder.  Panic disorder.