MONOAMINE-OXIDASE INHIBITORS - POTENTIAL FOR DRUG-ABUSE

Abstract

Both the amphetamines and MAO [monoamine oxidase] inhibitors share common clinical and pharmacological properties, i.e., to clinically induce euphoriant-stimulating type and psychotomimetic effects in certain individuals, and to increase, albeit by different mechanisms, the amount of functionally available neurotransmitter (catecholamines and indoleamines) at the receptor site. Like the amphetamines, the use of MAO inhibitors can be clincally associated with dependence-tolerance. These clinical findings may coverage with other clincial-biochemical data in helping to define the specific amine responsible for not only the clinical effects of these drugs but also the etiopathogenesis of major psychiatric illnesses such as the affective disorders and schizophrenia.