title: Reduced central serotonin turnover in a subgroup of alcoholics?
abstract: We review cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies suggesting on association between low CSF levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAAA) and suicidal and impulsive behaviour and alcoholism. Relatively high percentages of alcoholics attempt and commit suicide and have impulsive antisocial personality disorder. Therefore, we suggest that there may be a sizable subgroup of alcoholics who have a reduced central serotonin turnover.
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000201:enzymology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D005391:Firesetting Behavior / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase