title: Measures of serotonin metabolism in anorexia nervosa.
abstract: Thirty-five consecutive attenders at a clinic specializing in anorexia nervosa were studied. All conformed to a DSM-III-R diagnosis for anorexia nervosa. In addition, 3 cases suffered from major depressive disorder and 9 from dysthymia. Blood from all patients was analysed for monoamine oxidase, serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), tryptophan and platelet paroxetine binding. Findings showed that blood 5-HT was higher than normal in all patient groups, and was highest in those having affective disorder with anorexia nervosa. However, of the patients with anorexia nervosa alone, a subgroup having greatest weight loss had blood 5-HT levels significantly below all other groups. Lack of significant changes in other parameters compared with normal subjects points to the possibility of abnormal 5-HT storage or release.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hassanyeh
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D014364:Tryptophan; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D006719:Homovanillic Acid