Dictionary of Biological Psychology
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an ENZYME that catalyses the destruction of many types of MONOAMINE, including DOPAMINE, NORADRENALINE and SEROTONIN, the principal monoamine neurotransmitters in brain. It is present in many body tissues. In brain it is found in both neurons (see NEURON) and GLIAL CELLS. There as re two forms of monoamine oxidase, A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B), separate enzymes each coded by its own independent GENE.
MAO-A activity is inhibited by the drug CLORGYLINE and acts preferentially on serotonin, adrenaline and noradrenaline. MAO-B activity is inhibited by the drug DEPRENYL and acts preferentially on PHENYLETHYLAMINE. Both forms, MAO-A and MAO-B, work on dopamine, although MAO-A has primary responsibility for this.
See also: monoamine hypothesis of depression; monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Reference
Feldman R., Meyer J.S. & Quenzer L.F. (1997) Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology, Sinauer Associates: Sunderland MA.
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