What does MAO and COMT do?
What does MAO and COMT do?
Two major enzymes are responsible for catecholamine catabolism in the brain: catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA). Collectively, these results suggest that COMT and MAOA polymorphisms represent a basic neurobiological mechanism that contributes to the regulation of aggressive behavior.
Does Mao increase dopamine?
Between the two types of MAO, MAO-B has been believed to be involved in dopamine degradation, which supports the idea that the therapeutic efficacy of MAO-B inhibitors in Parkinson’s disease can be attributed to an increase in extracellular dopamine concentration.
How does COMT affect dopamine?
The catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) enzyme degrades catecholamines, including dopamine. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the human COMT gene (Val158) increases the thermostability of the enzyme—thereby increasing its level of activity compared to the 158Met allele (Chen et al. 2004).
Does COMT break down dopamine?
Catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) is an enzyme responsible for the degradation of catecholamines, such as dopamine and norepinephrine.
What are MAO drugs used for?
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are an extremely strong class of antidepressants that treat depression by preventing the breakdown of the brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This helps them do their work of regulating your mood.
What is the role of MAO?
Mao Zedong (December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976), also known as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary who was the founding father of the People’s Republic of China, which he ruled as the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party from the establishment of the PRC in 1949 until his death in 1976.
What are the primary functions of the COMT gene?
Normal Function The COMT gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called catechol-O-methyltransferase. Two versions of this enzyme are made from the gene. The longer form, called membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT), is chiefly produced by nerve cells in the brain.
How does estrogen affect COMT/MAO activity?
Figure 2 – Bell curve showing reduced COMT/MAO activity with elevated levels of estrogen. If you are born with or are exposed to more estrogen in your body (both natural and man-made) then you will have a tendency to have more dopamine in your brain because your COMT/MAO pathway has been slowed.
Why do I have a deficit of dopamine in my blood?
If you are a man with healthy levels of testosterone in your body, you will tend to have a deficit of dopamine because your COMT and MAO enzymes are going faster.
What are the benefits of dopamine in the brain?
Remember that more dopamine in the frontal lobe of the brain confers an ADVANTAGE in less-stressful periods. With more dopamine (and norepinephrine and epinephrine) these individuals have a very alert mind, better memory and will be quick, sharp learners.
What are the symptoms of high dopamine and high dopamine?
Symptoms include: HIGH DOPAMINE or CATECHOLAMINES – Right side of bell curve where there is excess dopamine; causes over-stimulation of the frontal lobe, neuronal circuits fatigue and become overstimulated, and the neocortex cannot function at normal speed. Symptoms include:
