Which antidepressant class inhibits both MAO-A and MAO-B?

The correct choice indicates that Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) are the class of antidepressants that inhibit both MAO-A and MAO-B. MAOIs work by blocking the action of the enzymes monoamine oxidase type A and type B, which are responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. By inhibiting these enzymes, MAOIs lead to increased levels of these neurotransmitters, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression.

Selectively targeting both MAO-A and MAO-B makes MAOIs unique compared to other classes of antidepressants. While other classes, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Tricyclic Antidepressants, have mechanisms of action that primarily focus on the reuptake of neurotransmitters or specific receptor targets, MAOIs directly inhibit the degradation of neurotransmitters, thereby enhancing their availability in the synaptic cleft.

In contrast to Atypical Antidepressants, which may include a range of drugs with various mechanisms of action, none of them are specifically designed to inhibit both types of the monoamine oxidase enzyme. The efficacy and mechanism of MAO inhibitors set them