title: Depressed 5-hydroxyindole levels associated with hyperactive and aggressive behavior. Relationship to drug response.
abstract: Monitoring of 5-hydroxyindole (5-HI) levels in blood in hyperactive institutionalized mentally retarded patients before and after drug therapy revealed depression of 5-HI levels in 83% of hyperactive patients. In these patients with low serotonin levels, elevation of 5-HI levels in blood into the normal range by administration of a variety of psychoactive agents was associated with the disappearance of the hyperkinetic syndrome. Patients who remained hyperactive continued to have low 5-HI levels. Return of hyperactivity upon withdrawal of meidication in patients who were previously well controlled was associated with a fall in 5-HI levels. Adverse responses were seen in these patients when they were treated with medications usually tending to lower 5-HI levels in blood. Medications used in the treatment of hyperactivity may be classified as to whether they usually elevate, lower, or have no significant effect on 5-HI levels in blood.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid