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.
Perhaps importantly, monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) is located in the mitochondrial wall and plays a significant role in dopamine degradation in PD. This can explain the symptomatic actions of MAO-B inhibitors, such as selegiline and rasagiline on motor symptoms of PD.n this brief review, the role played by mitochondria is examined and in turn, how monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) located in the inner mitochondrial wall might be a target for modifying cell death in PD through the use of selective MAO-B inhibitors.