Posted by djmmm on January 14, 2005, at 14:42:50
In reply to Re: MAO inhibition » Larry Hoover, posted by lars1 on January 14, 2005, at 13:23:54
> > One of the mechanisms by which methamphetamine does its damage is by inhibiting MAO. When combined with dopamine efflux induced by this drug, the inhibition of MAO leaves dopamine open to a multitude of auto-oxidative and enzyme catalyzed oxidative transformations.
>
> Would it be safe to assume that since conventional MAO inhibitors like Nardil and Parnate don't cause dopamine efflux, they don't cause any of the dopaminergic damage that amphetamines do?
No...MAOIs lack the potent catecholamine stimulation that occurs with Methamphetamine. It is the massive release of catecholamines (and serotonin at higher doeses) and their effect on post-synaptic receptors, that contribute to neurotoxicity. The resulting increase in blood pressure, and core body temperature also play a significant role.MAOI's prevent the oxidation of dopamine into 6-hydroxydopa and 6-hydroxydopamine (both neurotoxins)...6-hydroxydopamine is further oxidized into superoxide, hydroxyl free radicals and hydrogen peroxide. If anything, Nardil and Parnate are neuroprotective.
poster:djmmm
thread:439943
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050113/msgs/442170.html