Despite not being utilized as considerably as other antidepressants in the therapy of depression, the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) proceed to hold a place in neurodegeneration and to have a somewhat broad spectrum in respect of the treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Preclinical and clinical studies on MAOIs have been developing in recent times, especially on account of rousing discoveries manifesting that these drugs possess neuroprotective activities. The altered brain levels of monoamine neurotransmitters due to monoamine oxidase (MAO) are directly associated with various neuropsychiatric conditions like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Activated MAO induces the amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition via abnormal cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Additionally, activated MAO contributes to the generation of neurofibrillary tangles and cognitive impairment due to neuronal loss. No matter the attention of researchers on the participation of MAOIs in neuroprotection has been on monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors, there is a developing frame of proof indicating that monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitors may also play a role in neuroprotection. The therapeutic potential of MAOIs alongside the complete understanding of the enzyme’s physiology may lead to the future advancement of these drugs.
The human body is highly complex and comprises a variety of living cells and extracellular material, which forms tissues, organs, and organ systems. Human cells tend to turn over readily to maintain homeostasis in tissues. However, postmitotic nerve cells exceptionally have an ability to regenerate and be sustained for the entire life of an individual, to safeguard the physiological functioning of the central nervous system. For efficient functioning of the CNS, neuronal death is essential, but extreme loss of neurons diminishes the functioning of the nervous system and leads to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases range from acute to chronic severe life-altering conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Millions of individuals worldwide are suffering from neurodegenerative disorders with little or negligible treatment available, thereby leading to a decline in their quality of life. Neuropathological studies have identified a series of factors that explain the etiology of neuronal degradation and its progression in neurodegenerative disease. The onset of neurological diseases depends on a combination of factors that causes a disruption of neurons, such as environmental, biological, physiological, and genetic factors. The current review highlights some of the major pathological factors responsible for neuronal degradation, such as oxidative stress, cell death, and neuroinflammation. All these factors have been described in detail to enhance the understanding of their mechanisms and target them for disease management.
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