MAO inhibitors

n. A family of antidepressant drugs that operate by inhibiting the action of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in synaptic clefts by increasing the levels of the monoamine-based neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Irreversible MAO inhibitors permanently bind to MAO and can cause dangerously high blood pressure if the person eats food high in tryptophan or tyramine. Reversible MAO inhibitors only temporarily bind with MAO and so are less dangerous.