Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Monoamine Oxidase A (MAO-A) is a mitochondrial enzyme that metabolizes neurotransmitters including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine through oxidative deamination. This enzyme plays a crucial role in regulating mood, cognitive function, and stress response by maintaining optimal neurotransmitter balance in the brain.
Reported Benefits (Provisional)
Origin & History
Monoamine Oxidase A (MAO-A) is a metabolic enzyme that breaks down monoamines, including neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. It is found in the brain and other tissues, playing a role in mood regulation and neurotransmitter metabolism.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Human trials and observational studies have examined its role in mood disorders and neurological health.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
- Flavin-containing enzyme. - Breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters. - Involved in neurotransmitter metabolism.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
MAO-A catalyzes the oxidative deamination of monoamine neurotransmitters, converting serotonin to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine to 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, and dopamine to dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). This process occurs in mitochondrial outer membranes and involves FAD as a cofactor, producing aldehydes, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide as byproducts. The enzyme's activity is regulated by genetic polymorphisms in the MAOA gene promoter region, affecting neurotransmitter clearance rates.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
Research on MAO-A primarily focuses on genetic variants rather than supplementation, as MAO-A is an endogenous enzyme. Studies of MAOA gene polymorphisms in populations of 200-1,500 participants show that low-activity variants (MAOA-L) are associated with increased aggression and mood disorders. Clinical trials examining MAO-A inhibitors demonstrate significant effects on depression scores, but direct MAO-A supplementation studies are limited. Current evidence suggests MAO-A activity variations of 2-10 fold between individuals significantly impact neurotransmitter metabolism and behavioral outcomes.
Also Known As
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