title: Neurotransmitter metabolites in medicated epileptic patients.
abstract: The serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), were measured in urine of 38 male patients with idiopathic epilepsy on a single drug regime, and in 36 male healthy controls. Twenty patients were on carbamazepine and 18 on diphenylhydantoin. The concentrations of HVA and MHPG did not differ from normal, but 5-HIAA was significantly reduced in both patient groups. The reduced serotonin catabolism may be the result of a better utilisation of serotonin in the synapses, caused by the antiepileptic medication.
authors.affiliation: Athens University Medical School, Psychiatric Clinic, Eginition Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Markianos
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalfakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D002220:Carbamazepine; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D010672:Phenytoin; D006719:Homovanillic Acid