TY - JOUR T1 - Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition Dramatically Increases the Motivation to Self-Administer Nicotine in Rats JF - The Journal of Neuroscience JO - J. Neurosci. SP - 8593 LP - 8600 DO - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2139-05.2005 VL - 25 IS - 38 AU - Karine Guillem AU - Caroline Vouillac AU - Marc R. Azar AU - Loren H. Parsons AU - George F. Koob AU - Martine Cador AU - Luis Stinus Y1 - 2005/09/21 UR - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/25/38/8593.abstract N2 - Nicotine is the major neuroactive compound of tobacco, which has, by itself, weak reinforcing properties. It is known that levels of the enzymes monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and MAO-B are reduced in the platelets and brains of smokers and that substances, other than nicotine, present in tobacco smoke have MAO-inhibitory activities. Here, we report that inhibition of MAO dramatically and specifically increases the motivation to self-administer nicotine in rats. These effects were more prominent in rats selected for high responsiveness to novelty than in rats with low responsiveness to novelty. The results suggest that the inhibition of MAO activity by compounds present in tobacco smoke may combine with nicotine to produce the intense reinforcing properties of cigarette smoking that lead to addiction. ER -