RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition Dramatically Increases the Motivation to Self-Administer Nicotine in Rats
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 8593
OP 8600
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2139-05.2005
VO 25
IS 38
A1 Guillem, Karine
A1 Vouillac, Caroline
A1 Azar, Marc R.
A1 Parsons, Loren H.
A1 Koob, George F.
A1 Cador, Martine
A1 Stinus, Luis
YR 2005
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/25/38/8593.abstract
AB 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.