Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors

• These are used to prevent the breakdown of both endogenous dopamine and that produced after conversion from levodopa. Inhibiton of monoamine oxidase increases the availibility of dopamine in the brain as MAO enzyme functions to break down dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Again these can be used to reduce doses of levodosa treatment  and have been seen to be particularly effective in the reduction of the 'on/off' syndrome symptom in its ability to prolong the effect of levodopa.

• An example is selegiline, improving the efficacy of dopamine by reducing its metabolism. MAO inhibitors are linked with the side effects of low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.

• There is however, no evidence that early treatment with this drug can result in long term benefit in the treatment of Parkinson's and is therefore primarily used in the treatment of more advanced Parkinsonian patients.

     

The image is courtesy of author Jag123 of Wikimedia Commons.