Cerebrospinal fluid biogenic amine metabolites in fibromyalgia/fibrositis syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the levels of biogenic amines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of primary fibromyalgia syndrome (PFS) patients with those in the CSF of controls.


METHODS
Metabolites of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine were identified in CSF, using high performance liquid chromatography with coulometric detection.


RESULTS
CSF levels of metabolites from all 3 neurotransmitters were lower in PFS patients than in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
A low rate of turnover of several neurotransmitters supports the proposed hypothesis of a metabolic defect in PFS and suggests that the defect occurs at a neuroregulatory level.
Russell
I J
IJ
Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7874.
Vaeroy
H
H
Javors
M
M
Nyberg
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013577:Syndrome
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid