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Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B in the brains of smokers

Abstract

THE massive health problem associated with cigarette smoking is exacerbated by the addictive properties of tobacco smoke and the limited success of current approaches to cessation of smoking1. Yet little is known about the neuropharmacological actions of cigarette smoke that contribute to smoking behaviour, or why smoking is so prevalent in psychiatric disorders2 and is associated with a decreased risk of Parkinson's disease3. Here we report that brains of living smokers show a 40% decrease in the level of monoamine oxidase B (MAO B; EC 1.4.3.4) relative to non-smokers or former smokers. MAO B is involved in the breakdown of dopamine, a neurotransmitter implicated in reinforcing and motivating behaviours as well as movement. MAO B inhibition is therefore associated with enhanced activity of dopamine4, as well as with decreased production of hydrogen peroxide, a source of reactive oxygen species5. We propose that reduction of MAO B activity may synergize with nicotine to produce the diverse behavioural and epidemiological effects of smoking.

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Fowler, J., Volkow, N., Wang, GJ. et al. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B in the brains of smokers. Nature 379, 733–736 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/379733a0

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