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The next Current Science Reviews collection won't be out for a month
or so, and I thought this interesting enough to post now:
 
TIME, 11 Mar 1996:60 (news item):
 
Dopamine in the brain produces intense pleasure, and every addictive
substance does so by increasing dopamine. Researchers found that
smokers averaged 40% less MAO-B, an enzyme in the brain that breaks
down dopamine. They theorize that some unknown component of tobacco
is a MAO-B inhibitor. Nicotine also increases dopamine level, but
in a different way, by blocking dopamine receptors in the forebrain.
 
Cheers, Joe
 
J. R. Bruman (818) 789-3694
3527 Cody Road
Sherman Oaks CA 91403