Neurotransmitter markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of normal subjects effects of aging and other confounding factors

Abstract

We have investigated neurotransmitter-related markers of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a carefully screened series of normally aging subjects in standardized conditions in order to find out the influence of age and other confounding factors on CSF measures. The levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyglycol (MHPG) and the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) also increased with age, while homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5 HIAA) and immunoreactivities of somatostatin (SLI), beta-endorphin (BLI) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were unrelated to age. The gender of subjects had no significant effect on the levels of neurotransmitter markers, while seasonal changes, as well as height and weight of the subjects seemed to cause some variations in the levels of HVA, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and ACTH. The study underscores the importance of standardized conditions and matched patient groups in the CSF studies.

Neurochemical markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and normal controls

“…The concentration of MHPG in the CSF correlated positively with age in normal subjects (Har-tikainen et al, 1991) and in AD patients (r --0.40, p = 0.04), but not in PD (r ---0.09, p = 0.61) or ALS patients (r = 0.29, p ---0.10). Seasonal alterations in the CSF levels of DBH and BLI found for normals (Hartikainen et al, 1991) were not observed for any of the disease groups. ACTH values for AD patients (p < 0.05) showed similar seasonal change as did those of controls; the levels were higher in the light than in the dark period (Hartikainen et al, 1991).…”

“…Because age, height, weight, and season were found to interfere with the levels CSF measures in our previous work with controls (Hartikainen et al, 1991), all CSF variables but MHPG, DBH, and BLI were adjusted for age and, in addition, HVA for height and season, ACTH for season and weight and SLI for weight. The concentration of MHPG in the CSF correlated positively with age in normal subjects (Har-tikainen et al, 1991) and in AD patients (r --0.40, p = 0.04), but not in PD (r ---0.09, p = 0.61) or ALS patients (r = 0.29, p ---0.10).…”

Rostrocaudal Dynamics of CSF Biomarkers

“…Hence a bias may have been introduced with regards to diurnal and seasonal rhythms, and their effect on the levels of the markers. Effects that are difficult to standardise such as the height of subjects may effect the concentration of markers in lumbar CSF [31]. Intra-individual variations however may remain stable over a short period [32].…”

Detection of glutamine synthetase in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer diseased patients: a potential diagnostic biochemical marker.

“…[y32P]2N3ATP (specific activity, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] mCi/,tmol) was then prepared and purified as described for ['t-32P]8N3ATP. Protein molecular size standards were from Bio-Rad.…”

“…Amyloid, paired helical filament, and a1-antichymotrypsin immunoreactivity have been reported to be elevated in the CSF of AD patients (4)(5)(6). The CSF has also been examined for concentration changes in neuropeptides (7), biogenic amines and their metabolites (8), amino acid or amino acid derivatives (9), vitamins (10), and trace elements (11). However, none of these compounds has emerged as a reliable marker for AD.…”