CSF monoamine metabolites in melancholia

Abstract

The neurotransmitter metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl glycol (HMPG) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured by mass fragmentography in 83 patients with melancholia (diagnosed by the Newcastle Inventory and the Research Diagnostic Criteria), and 66 healthy volunteer controls. After adjustment by analysis of covariance for differences between the subject groups in body height, age and sex distribution, significantly (P less than 0.001) lower concentrations of 5-HIAA and HVA were found in the melancholia patients than in the controls. HMPG did not differ between the groups. The differences could not be accounted for by differences in timing or examination techniques, and not by previously administered drugs (all patients were drug-free at the examination, but a minority had taken small amounts of psychotropic drugs prior to the wash-out period). The differences persisted after excluding the suicidal patients. There were no clear-cut differences between unipolar and bipolar patients. It is suggested that the reduced concentrations of 5-HIAA and HVA in the melancholic patients may be due to altered serotonin and/or dopamine functions in the central nervous system, which may be connected with an increased vulnerability to certain types of affective illness.

Monoamine Metabolites Level in CSF is Related to the 5-HTT Gene Polymorphism in Treatment-Resistant Depression

“…We would surmise that a homogeneous selection bias in our patients with treatment-resistant mood disorders could be a possible cause for the observed discrepancy. Decreased concentration of 5-HIAA in CSF was reported in patients with depression (Asberg et al, 1984), and central serotonergic dysfunction has been surmised to be a pathogenesis for affective symptoms. The low frequency of the S/S genotype seen in our treatment-resistant patients, possibly related to high 5-HIAA concentration, might result in a favorable antidepressant response in patients with the S/S genotype.…”

The "chemical imbalance" explanation for depression: Origins, lay endorsement, and clinical implications.

“…Sedvall et al (1980) found lowered CSF 5-HIAA levels in normal controls with a family history of depression and suggested CSF 5-HIAA levels might act as a marker of genetic vulnerability for depression. Asberg et al (1984) found lowered levels of CSF 5-HIAA in patients with melancholia in comparison with nondepressed controls.…”

Santé psychologique, qualité et interactions maritales des personnes souffrant de fibromyalgie :

“…Ces études sur le métabolisme de la sérotonine ont démontré que les personnes fibromyalgiques ont des taux signifïcativement plus bas de sérotonine dans le sérum que les personnes non fibromyalgiques (Moldofsky, 1982;Russell, Bowden, Michalek, Fletcher & Hester, 1987). De façon analogue, des taux signifïcativement plus bas de sérotonine ont également été observés dans le sérum des personnes souffrant de dépression (v.g., Asberg et al, 1984;Asberg, Thorén, Trãskman-Bendz, Bertilsson & Ringberger, 1976;Goodwin & Post, 1983;Muck-Seler et al, 2004). La littérature démontre ainsi que les personnes souffrant de fibromyalgie et les personnes souffrant de dépression présentent une altération du métabolisme de la sérotonine qui va dans le sens d'une diminution de la sécrétion de sérotonine.…”