title: Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: CSF neurotransmitter abnormalities.
abstract: Serial determinations of spinal fluid homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were made in four patients with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome over a 5-year period. Control spinal fluids for age-matched comparison were obtained from 194 neurologic and nonneurologic pediatric patients. A rapid decline in control spinal fluid HVA and 5-HIAA occurs over the first 3 years of life (50 and 60%, respectively), and a more gradual decline persists throughout adolescence. The Lesch-Nyhan subjects have similar age-related changes in their spinal fluid neurotransmitter levels. Sequential 5-HIAA determinations from the four Lesch-Nyhan boys fall within the control range. The Lesch-Nyhan HVA levels are lower than the mean value for the age-matched control group in 18 of 19 samples. Ten of 19 determinations fell below the control range. Our findings provide evidence for altered CNS dopamine metabolism in the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Silverstein
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D007223:Infant; D007926:Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013129:Spinal Puncture
chemical_list: D010648:Phenylacetates; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid