Monoamine oxidase inhibitors as anti-depressant drugs and as adjunct to L-dopa therapy of Parkinson's disease.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors have been used in psychiatric disorders for many years. However, due to the toxic side effects of the drugs they are often replaced by the tri- and tetracyclic antidepressants. Selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors like deprenyl, however, have been tried with success as adjuvant therapy in Parkinson's disease and depression because of their ability to inhibit dopamine oxidation. Perhaps their greatest advantage is their lack of pressor response.