Selegiline

Mechanism of Action

Selegiline is a selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) type B inhibitor (I). Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) is the main enzyme responsible for breakdown of the monoamine neurotransmitters (adrenaline, nor-adrenaline, serotonin, histamine and dopamine).

Two forms exist:

• MAOA:Catabolises serotonin, adrenaline, nor-adrenaline.
• MAOB:Catabolises dopamine and histamine.

Selegiline therefore increases the availability of dopamine for inclusion into secretory vesicles by the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) proteins on the surface of cytoplasmic vesicles in dopaminergic neurons.

Most MAOI antidepressants are mixed or selective inhibitors of MAOA. These have very similar effects on serotonergic and nor-adrenergic neurotransmission to SRI/SSRI drugs, and lead to almost identical postsynaptic receptor regulation. MAOA inhibitors also increase dopaminergic transmission, which has a recognised but not fully understood effect on depression.

MAOA inhibitory drugs require dietary modification since they can become toxic in the presence of excess dietary tyramine. This is not the case with relatively selective MAOB inhibitors like selegiline. MAOA inhibitory drugs are NOT suitable alternatives to selegiline.

Selegiline reduces anxiety and depression mainly through its effect on dopamine Although a selective inhibitor of MAOB, there is evidence that selegiline does also partially inhibit MAOA, so some of those anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects probably do occur.

The exact mechanism of action of selegiline is not fully understood.

• There is a direct antidepressant effect via increased dopamine [not understood].
• There may be some reduction in anxiety due to MAOA effects, but this will be small.
• 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.

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• 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.

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.

Some individuals treated with selegiline show signs of agitation and restlessness, which is a reason for drug withdrawal.

Use

The main uses for selegiline are the treatment of fears and phobias, and cognitive decline where reduced dopamine levels are implicated [of the type that resembles dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, DAT].

• Licensed [dog]

• Treatment of behavioural problems of emotional origin [incl. Specific phobias]
• Cognitive decline [hypothetically of DAT].

• Unlicensed

• Other fear related problems [including aggression]
• Spraying [fear related in cats]
• Hyperactivity
• Compulsive/stereotypical disorders [predominantly involving fear]

Adverse Effects

• Agitation
• GI signs (nausea, diarrhoea, usually transient)
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Hallucinations
• Increased competitiveness and shifts in status relationships: both with people and [more probably] other dogs in the household. Especially important where status related problems already exist.

Caution should be taken in if the animal suffers from any of the following pre-existing medical conditions:

• Hyperadrenocorticism (not of pituitary origin)

Care should be taken if used in conjunction with any of the following drugs, which may interact and cause adverse effects:

• TCA/SSRI: serotonin syndrome.
• Benzodiazepines: Effects of benzodiazepines potentiated by selegiline. Isolated [human] problems with MAOA inhibitors, probably not relevant to selegiline.
• Buspirone: isolated [human] cases of non-fatal hypertension.
• Pethidine: some serious [fatal] adverse reactions seen in man. Hyperpyrexia, respiratory failure, impaired consciousness, neurological signs.
• Phenylpropanolamine, Phenylephrine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine: life-threatening hypertension seen in man.

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.