CSF 5-HIAA as a predictor of treatment response in trichotillomania.
Trichotillomania is characterized by chronic hair-pulling resulting in noticeable hair loss. In a preliminary study, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures in 8 medication-free, female, trichotillomania patients were compared to those of matched, normal controls. There was no difference between patients and controls in measures of CSF cortisol, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG). CSF measures did not correlate with measures of trichotillomania symptomatology. However, degree of response to treatment with serotonin re-uptake inhibitors significantly correlated with baseline CSF 5-HIAA. This suggests that central serotonin turnover is specifically relevant to treatment response to serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in trichotillomania.
Ninan
P T
PT
Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
Rothbaum
B O
BO
Stipetic
M
M
Lewine
R J
RJ
Risch
S C
SC
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy
D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid