Long-lasting elevation of alanine in brain produced by the antidepressant phenelzine.

Time- and dose-response studies were conducted to determine the effects of the antidepressant and antipanic drug phenelzine (a monoamine oxidase inhibitor) on whole brain levels of the aliphatic amino acid alanine. At a dose of phenelzine of 15 mg/kg IP, there was a significant increase in brain levels of alanine up to 16 hr after drug administration. Dose studies at 4 hr indicated that the alanine elevation after phenelzine was a dose-dependent effect.