Posted by Angielala on January 15, 2004, at 12:16:07
In reply to Re: What is Bipolar and what does MAOI mean?, posted by SLS on January 14, 2004, at 18:01:02
Scott- great explanation!!
> > I'm sorry, but I'm new to this board and I just like to know what certain words mean. Thanks!
>
> Bipolar disorder has in the past been known as manic depression. As tensor explained, it is a mood disorder that presents as alternating states of depression and manic or hypomanic states.
>
> See:
>
> http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-md02.html#Diagnosis
>
> MAOIs are a class of antidepressants that block monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that is responsible for disassembling neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers between cells (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine). Without this process, levels of these neurotransmitters are allowed to increase. It is thought that it is this increase that produces the antidepressant properties of these drugs. In the US, there are three MAOIs that are approved by the FDA for depression. They are Parnate (tranylcypromine), Nardil (phenelzine), and Marplan (isocarboxazid). A fourth one that is approved for Parkinsons Disease is sometimes prescribed for depression as well. Outside the US, there is another drug called moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix). This drug is different from the others in the way it attaches to and blocks the MAO enzyme. It can jump on and off the enzyme reversibly whereas the other MAOIs are stuck permanently and are thus irreversible. Moclobemide is also selective for the MAO-A enzyme, a subtype, whereas the others block both MAO-A and MAO-B. Moclobemide is characterized as a RIMA (Reversible Inhibitor of Monoamine oxidase-A).
>
> I hope this helps.
>
>
> - Scott
poster:Angielala
thread:300699
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040114/msgs/301189.html