Tourette's syndrome: a neurochemical analysis of postmortem cortical brain tissue.
Postmortem frontal, temporal, and occipital regions of the brain from adult patients who had a diagnosis of Tourette's syndrome were analyzed for neurochemical alterations. In 3 of 4 TS-affected brains, the concentration of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) was reduced in all brain regions evaluated. This diminution in cyclic AMP was not associated with a significant change in the activity of the synthesizing enzyme, adenylate cyclase. No significant differences were identified for the neurotransmitter-synthesizing enzymes choline acetyltransferase and glutamate decarboxylase. Concentrations of dopamine, norepinephrine, and the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were not altered. Postsynaptic receptor-binding activity for muscarinic cholinergic ([3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate) and beta receptors ([125I]iodocyanopindolol) showed no generalized impairment. It is suggested that symptoms of Tourette's syndrome might be related to an abnormality within a second messenger system.
Singer
H S
HS
Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Hahn
I H
IH
Krowiak
E
E
Nelson
E
E
Moran
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D011813:Quinuclidinyl Benzilate / Q000378:metabolism; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000378:metabolism*; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D011813:Quinuclidinyl Benzilate; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase