Posted by ItsHowdyDudyTime on December 13, 2002, at 17:53:41
In reply to MAOIs-why are they considered more effective?, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 8:54:18
> Hi,
>
> I was just wondering why MAOIs are considered to be more effective than SSRIs, are there any studies which have proved this?
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> Are they also more effective than tryciclics?
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>
>
> Denise
>
>
MAOIs are more effective than any other class of antidepressant for several reasons. First, MAOIs affect many more brain neurotransmitters than do tricyclics, SSRIs or any other antidepressants. MAOIs increase all of the "monoamines" in the brain, to include MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-A includes neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. MAO-B includes the brain neurotransmiters associated with motor control, parkinsons disease and includes dopamine and many obscure, little discussed brain chemicals such as PEA. There is even a "PEA theory of depression" believe it or not.Another reason why MAOIs are more effective is due to their irreversibility. Due to this irreversibility, these brain neurotransmitters build up better and more completely than they do with regular antidepressants. The RIMA MAOIs such as Moclobemide, which are reversible rather than irreversible, do not have the good reputation at treating TRD that the older, original irreversible MAOIs have.
Finally, still another reason why MAOIs are more effective is that some of them have some direct, stimulant (amphetamine) like effects. Parnate feels like speed to some people. Amphetamines are an old time treatment for severe depression and are still used sometimes in severe cases of TRD to this very day.
MAOIs are all very dopaminergic, unlike any of the other antidepressants used. This simple fact may account for much of their usefulness in TRD. MAOIs are the ONLY significantly dopaminergic ADs. The drug companies are afraid to develop modern class dopaminergic antidepressants, due to the "war on drugs" and fears of developing drugs that could be used for pleasure or addiction. The problem with this sort of thinking is that we the severely mentally ill get screwed. Many severely depressed individuals are probably mildly deficient in dopamine levels, not just serotonin.
Howdy Doody
poster:ItsHowdyDudyTime
thread:131457
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021210/msgs/131704.html