Catecholamines are important transmitter substances in the autonomic and central nervous systems. These two volumes provide a comprehensive presentation of the state-of-the-art of catecholamine research and development in the past 15 years. The volumes present in-depth reviews of topical areas of catecholamine research in which substantial progress has been made and which are of current interest to various theoretical and clinical disciplines. Each topic has been dealt with by an established expert. Clinical subjects of relevant importance are included. Catecholamines are of interest in pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, as well as in neurology, psychiatry, internal medicine (cardiology, hypertension, asthma), ophthalmology and anesthesiology.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is linked to psychiatric and neurological disorders, because inhibitors of the enzyme are used clinically for treatment of affective disorders and Parkinson s disease. One of the interesting new aspects of MAO is the occurrence in the human population of deletions of genes coding for one or the other enzyme subtype (A or B). This leads to the possibility of a genetic basis for psychiatric disorders based on MAO. Subjects with deletions of type A or B, and combined deletions, have been described. In the first group of 6 papers in this book, the occurrence and characterization of these phenotypes, as well as the structure of MAO genes, is explored. Advances in the biochemistry of MAO subtypes and their physiological function and localization in brain and periphery is included. Other sections of the book deal with the neuroprotective action of MAO inhibitors and their pharmacology, especially the pharmacology of new MAO-B inhibitors."

Monoamine oxidase plays a major role in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders including depressive illness, Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease. The new generation of selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors, devoid of major side effects, has found a prominent place in the treatment of these diseases. Some of these drugs may have neuroprotective activity with prospects for treating progressive neurodegenerative diseases. The volume presents a collection of research papers on monoamine oxidase and its inhibitors. The topic is treated from the point of view of chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology, neurology and psychiatry. The book serves as a quick and comprehensive reference source for obtaining the most up to date information."