Table 1 Main difference between the two isoforms MAO-A and MAO-B
MAO-A | MAO-B |
|---|---|
It preferentially oxidizes nor-epinephrine and serotonin | Preferentially deaminates β-phenylethylamine and benzyl-amine [65, 66] |
It is selectively inhibited by clorgyline | |
Both the MAO isoforms have a different tissue distribution. Occurs in cathecholaminergic neurons as well as glia | MAO-B is predominant in the human brain, and is compartmentalized into different cell types. It occurs mainly in glial cells and serotoninergic neurons [67, 68] |
MAO-A inhibitors have been used mostly in the treatment of mental disorders, in particular depression and anxiety [80, 81] | Used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and perhaps, Alzheimer’s disease [70, 82] |