NCIt definition : A monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor with antidepressant activity. Pargyline selectively
inhibits MAO type B, an enzyme catalyzing the oxidative deamination and inactivation
of certain catecholamines, such as norepinephrine and dopamine, within the presynaptic
nerve terminals. By inhibiting the metabolism of these biogenic amines in the brain,
pargyline increases their concentration and binding to postsynaptic receptors. Increased
receptor stimulation may cause downregulation of central receptors which may attribute
to pargyline's antidepressant effect.;