What is true about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are both classes of antidepressants that work on serotonin levels in the brain, but they do so in different ways.

The correct answer indicates that MAOIs decrease the breakdown of serotonin within the pre-synaptic neuron. This is important because monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that normally catalyzes the breakdown of monoamines, including serotonin. By inhibiting this enzyme, MAOIs prevent the degradation of serotonin, leading to increased levels of serotonin available in the synaptic cleft and enhancing its activity.

This explanation highlights the mechanism by which MAOIs enhance serotonin action. While SSRIs primarily work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into the pre-synaptic neuron, this choice specifically emphasizes the direct action of MAOIs on serotonin metabolism, which distinguishes the correct answer from other options that may misunderstand or misstate the functions of these medications.