MAO participates in the catabolism of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (Berlin and Anthenelli 2001; Fowler et al. 2003a), and it has been postulated that some of the clinical effects of smoking are due to MAO inhibition, leading to decreases in monoamine breakdown with a subsequent increase in monoamine availability (Berlin and Anthenelli 2001). Thus, smoking may enhance DA availability and the rewarding properties of smoking both through DA release (as described above) and MAO inhibition. Smoking may also alter mood and anxiety through MAO inhibition effects on norepinephrine and serotonin availability and turnover. Comprehensive reviews of the role of MAO in tobacco dependence have recently been published (Berlin and Anthenelli 2001; Fowler et al. 2003a).
