title: Variations of monoamines and their metabolites in the human brain putamen.
abstract: The levels of the monoamines dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) and the monoaminergic metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured with HPLC-ECD in 42 samples from human brain putamen. The influence of gender and of age was investigated and correlations between the monoamines were established. The DAergic system shows a significant difference between males and females, with females having lower DA and higher DOPAC levels and a higher DOPAC/DA ratio than males. No gender-related differences of 5-HT and its metabolites were observed, nor of NE. Three different age groups (group 1: 0-9.9 years: group 2: 10-59.9 years; group 3: 60 years and older) were defined according to previous studies on ontogenesis and senescence in human brain. An increase in 5-HT levels, decrease in 5-HIAA levels and a decrease in the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio were observed after the first decade of life. Changes in the DAergic system were seen in senescence, with decreasing DA levels and an increase in the HVA/DA ratio. DOPAC, HVA and the DOPAC/DA ratio are unaffected. NE is similar in all age groups. The analysis of the relation of the levels of the three monoamines proved a strong correlation between the DAergic and 5-HTergic systems. The nature of this relationship might have an impact on neuro-psychiatric disorders and brain function.
authors.affiliation: University of Würzburg, Department of Psychiatry, FRG.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Konradi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kornhuber
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sofic
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heckers
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riederer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beckmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004563:Electrochemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D011699:Putamen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase