Changes

*Dopamine level is associated with playfulness. Increased dopamine levels are linked to increased playfulness.

*Dopamine level is associated with playfulness. Increased dopamine levels are linked to increased playfulness.

*Dopaminergic neurons are concentrated in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system of the midbrain. This is thought to be part of the reward system that somehow assigns value to adaptive behaviours. Recent experiments have shown that normal dogs treated with the drug improve their performance in certain learned tasks and it is believed that this is due to improved function of the reward system.

*Dopaminergic neurons are concentrated in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system of the midbrain. This is thought to be part of the reward system that somehow assigns value to adaptive behaviours. Recent experiments have shown that normal dogs treated with the drug improve their performance in certain learned tasks and it is believed that this is due to improved function of the reward system.

*D₁ receptors are affected in mood disorders and stereotypes and manifest their post-synaptic inhibition in the limbic system. In mood disorders and stereotypies D₂, D₃ and D₄ receptors are all also affected.

*D₁ receptors are affected in mood disorders and stereotypes and manifest their post-synaptic inhibition in the limbic system<ref name="Overall"/>. In mood disorders and stereotypies D₂, D₃ and D₄ receptors are all also affected.

*Dopamine is also important in the putative ‘seeking’ circuit, which is involved in reinforcement of search, exploratory and investigatory behaviours. Animals that have an enhancement of the ‘seeking’ system become immensely interested in what is around them and become excited when they anticipate the arrival of things that they want.

*Dopamine is also important in the putative ‘seeking’ circuit, which is involved in reinforcement of search, exploratory and investigatory behaviours. Animals that have an enhancement of the ‘seeking’ system become immensely interested in what is around them and become excited when they anticipate the arrival of things that they want.

*Two of the main metabolites of selegiline, L-amphetamine and L-methamphetamine are also stimulants of brain activity and may play a role in its effects, however the extent to which this is the case is uncertain.

*Two of the main metabolites of selegiline, L-amphetamine and L-methamphetamine are also stimulants of brain activity and may play a role in its effects, however the extent to which this is the case is uncertain.

*A decrease in the concentration of catecholamines in the CNS and reduced level of neurotransmission are thought to be the pathogenesis behind the clinical signs associated with cognitive decline.

*A decrease in the concentration of catecholamines in the CNS and reduced level of neurotransmission are thought to be the pathogenesis behind the clinical signs associated with cognitive decline<ref>Houpt, K.A., 2001. Cognitive dysfunction in geriatric cats, in August, J.R. (Ed.), Consulations in Feline Internal Medicine. 4. Philadelphia. WB Saunders, pp. 583-590.</ref>.

Remembering that in veterinary medicine depression, anxiety and the inhibitory effects of fear are measured by observing behaviour, a drug that increases exploratory behaviour, activity, playfulness and response to appetitive events would, by definition, reduce observed levels of depression. So the effect of selegiline may in some way be to reduce fear and anxiety, whilst at the same time increasing the tendency to explore and then enhancing reward for behaviours.

Remembering that in veterinary medicine depression, anxiety and the inhibitory effects of fear are measured by observing behaviour, a drug that increases exploratory behaviour, activity, playfulness and response to appetitive events would, by definition, reduce observed levels of depression. So the effect of selegiline may in some way be to reduce fear and anxiety, whilst at the same time increasing the tendency to explore and then enhancing reward for behaviours.

*Amitraz: found in some tick collars

*Amitraz: found in some tick collars

A minimum of a 2 week gap should be allowed between withdrawal of selegiline and initiation of treatment with a tricyclic antidepressant or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor<ref name="Overall">. Due to the long half-life of fluoxetine and its active metabolites, at least 5 weeks should elapse between discontinuation of fluoxetine and initiation of treatment with selegiline.

A minimum of a 2 week gap should be allowed between withdrawal of selegiline and initiation of treatment with a tricyclic antidepressant or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor<ref name="Overall"/>. Due to the long half-life of fluoxetine and its active metabolites, at least 5 weeks should elapse between discontinuation of fluoxetine and initiation of treatment with selegiline.

Note that most of the potential interactions relate to mixed and selective MAOA inhibitors in man, but it is sensible to be aware of these interactions when using a drug, like selegiline, that has a short history of use in veterinary medicine. Any adverse reaction should be reported via the NOAH reporting system.

Note that most of the potential interactions relate to mixed and selective MAOA inhibitors in man, but it is sensible to be aware of these interactions when using a drug, like selegiline, that has a short history of use in veterinary medicine. Any adverse reaction should be reported via the NOAH reporting system.