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Selegiline


Mechanism of action:

Selegiline is a selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor. Monoamine oxidase-B is one of the main enzymes responsible for degrading dopamine in the brain. After selegiline binds covalently to monoamine oxidase-B, the enzyme loses its activity, leading to increased dopamine concentrations in the synaptic cleft and enhanced dopaminergic signaling in the striatum.

Reference(s):

1. Engberg G et al. (1991). Deprenyl (selegiline), a selective MAO-B inhibitor with active metabolites; effects on locomotor activity, dopaminergic neurotransmission and firing rate of nigral dopamine neurons. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 


2. Macleod AD et al. (2005). Monoamine oxidase B inhibitors for early Parkinson's disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 


3. Magyar K et al. (1984). Pharmacokinetic aspects of deprenyl effects. Pol J Pharmacol Pharm.

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