CSF monoamine metabolites and somatostatin in Alzheimer's disease and major depression.
Decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), somatostatinlike immunoreactivity (SLI) and alterations in the CSF monamine metabolites 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylglycol (MHPG), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and homovanillic acid (HVA) have been reported in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in patients with major depression. In this study, we found CSF SLI to be significantly lower in a large group of AD patients (n = 60) and in a group of age-matched patients with major depression (n = 18) as compared with normal controls (n = 12). Mean CSF, MHPG, 5-HIAA, and HVA levels were not significantly different among diagnostic groups. Within a group of "depressed" AD patients, CSF levels of 5-HIAA showed a significant positive correlation (p = 0.03) with CSF SLI; a similar relationship was found within the group of patients with major depression. Further exploration of the relationship between the somatostatin and serotonin systems may provide clues as to how neuropeptides interact with monoamine neurotransmitters and what role they have in depression.
Molchan
S E
SE
Unit on Geriatric Psychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Lawlor
B A
BA
Hill
J L
JL
Martinez
R A
RA
Davis
C L
CL
Mellow
A M
AM
Rubinow
D R
DR
Sunderland
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010455:Peptides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D010455:Peptides; C029993:somatostatin-like peptides; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D006719:Homovanillic Acid